In the early hours of March 17, 2026, an armed gang robbery unfolded at the Almondvale Shopping Centre in Livingston, West Lothian. At approximately 12:15 AM, four men executed a carefully planned operation that involved crashing a vehicle into the shopping centre.
The suspects used a black Nissan Juke and a white Audi S5 to carry out the robbery. One suspect reversed the Nissan through bollards, smashing through glass doors to gain entry. They briefly accessed the shopping centre but were unable to reach the main store.
During the incident, the gang managed to steal several rails of designer clothing, which they placed inside the Audi. Following the theft, one of the suspects set the Nissan Juke ablaze, completely destroying the vehicle.
Residents in the area reported hearing alarms from the shopping centre during the chaos. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 1:20 AM and quickly extinguished the fire, but the Nissan was already burnt out.
Detective Inspector Lee Beaumont commented on the incident, stating, “Thankfully, no-one was injured as a result of this incident.” He emphasized the planning involved, noting, “It was a carefully planned operation in which the four suspects had no thought for the safety of others at any time.”
Police are currently appealing for information regarding the suspects and the vehicles involved. Beaumont urged anyone who may have seen the vehicles or captured them on CCTV or Dashcam to contact the police immediately.
The Audi S5 was later recovered, with stolen property found inside. However, details remain unconfirmed regarding the suspects’ whereabouts.
This robbery highlights ongoing concerns about safety and crime in the Livingston area, raising questions about security measures at local shopping centres.
