POLICE are investigating another housebreaking incident in which a large quantity of high-value gold and cash was stolen from a house in Uddingston.

The incident comes just three weeks after the Evening Times reported on a similar incident in the town which saw a five-figure sum of jewellery stolen from a house, along with cash, in a brazen, targeted, evening rush-hour break-in.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman told the Evening Times: “Police were called to Lynnhurst in Uddingston to a report of a housebreaking at around 8.55pm on Monday, February 4.

READ MORE: Gran, 64, 'distraught' as thieves ransack family home to steal gold jewellery worth thousands

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

The Evening Times has contacted the force for more details.

The break-in is feared to be part of high-value gold thefts which have reached crisis point both in Scotland and across the UK in recent years.

Already this year, the Evening Times understands there have been a spate of robberies in areas around Glasgow - primarily in North Lanarkshire - as well as in the Fife and Stirling areas.

Gold jewellery and cash in the tens of thousands has been taken.

READ MORE: Asian households in Glasgow targeted by thieves looking for gold

The break-ins led to Police Scotland setting up “Operation Suitcase” around seven years ago.

Operation Suitcase has been described as “an intelligence-led investigation into a series of theft by housebreakings where high-value jewellery and gold is stolen.”

According to the police force, the total value of the property stolen during April and June 2018 was estimated to be in the region of £650,000.

Most victims are of Asian origin, usually of Pakistani or Indian descent. However, an increase in victims of South East Asian origin has been observed in similar incidents.

READ MORE: Jewellery raids on Asian households continue as Milngavie home latest to be hit

Similar crimes have been identified in England and Wales and, in April 2018, four individuals were arrested in Devon by Cheshire Police, one of whom was charged with offences related to Scotland.

We reported back in November 2017 how Asian households were being targeted by thieves looking for gold in a housebreaking crimewave.

Over £600,000 of cash and jewellery was taken in 44 housebreakings in the Greater Glasgow area between July and November 2017, Police Scotland revealed.

The following month, we told how precious family heirlooms were stolen from an address in Milngavie while the owners were on holiday.