THIEVES are targeting the area's churches and businesses in coordinated thefts costing companies and parishes thousands. Construction, landscaping and agriculture firms in Barrhead and Neilston have been targeted as organised criminals use flatbed trucks and loaders to take heavy plant equipment and materials - and appear to operate on a specific "to order" basis.

Last month over �1,000 worth of equipment went missing from Mundell Landscapes on Lochlibo Road, including an arm attachment from a JCB digger and top cab.

It's the latest high profile theft to hit the area that has targeted heavy industrial, construction or gardening equipment.

Previously the News told how a digger worth �75,000 disappeared from Neilston Cemetery that lies between Neilston and Barrhead.

Renfrewshire Council spokesman said; "Our contractor is working at the cemetery putting in new paths and drainage. Any theft is deplorable but these thieves should be ashamed of themselves stealing from a graveyard.

"We'd appeal to anyone who has any information about this theft to contact the police with it right away."

Community Inspector Campbell Crawford told the News: "Plant theft is a serious problem in some areas and something that we have to deal with a lot. It really is a case of someone needing or ordering a part and these people know where to find them.

"These aren't parts that you or me could just load onto the back of a truck, they are large and very heavy. Sometimes the thefts are very specific parts or entire tractors and generators can go missing."

In February the News told of thieves stealing brass and other metal inlays from tombstones and memorials from the area's graveyards, to be sold on as scrap, and more recently lead has been stolen from several of the areas most historic buildings, including several thefts of lead in the last two months from church roofs in Barrhead alone.

Inspector Crawford said: "If you don't lock up your premises, there isn't much stopping people just loading equipment on to flatbed trucks and driving away. It's a potentially lucrative business, and we urge anyone who does see anything suspicious to contact us immediately."

Neilston Community Council has called for urgent action against the gang following the spate of thefts.

The crimes were brought up by concerned members at their last meeting. A spokesman said; "We hope the police put more measure and resources in to catching the thieves responsible for the thefts from outlying businesses, and it's something that the Council will continue to bring up.

"It's unfortunate that even the reasonably quiet countryside isn't free from thieves in these hard times, but this isn't even a problem that only affects our area, it's happening everywhere.

"People are looking elsewhere as legitimate jobs dry up."

Anyone wishing to report a crime can contact Barrhead police station on 0141 532 6200 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.