POLICE investigating a spate of Transit van thefts are asking Barrhead residents for help to snare the culprits.

An appeal for information has been issued after one of the stolen vans was driven to Barrhead.

The white Transit, belonging to Abercorn Builders, was pinched from Thornside Road, Johnstone, shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

A tracker device inside the van shows it was driven through the Foxbar, Glenburn and Gleniffer Braes areas of Paisley before heading to Lugton, in Ayrshire, and then moving on to Barrhead.

Police said a number of similar thefts involving Transit vans have taken place in the Renfrewshire area, with crooks thought to be targeting the vehicles to get their hands on valuable tools being stored inside.

The latest theft wasn't discovered until 8.30am yesterday but the tracker device had recorded the time the van was stolen.

It is thought the tracker was removed after the van reached Barrhead, as there is no further record of the vehicle's travels after that journey.

Anyone who has information about the stolen van, which has a 2010 plate, is asked to call officers on 101.