Police are hunting a gang of men who set fire to five parked cars within the grounds of a private prison. 

Prison staff raised the alarm after four males in a blue Range Rover pulled into the car park of HMP Addiewell in West Lothian on Friday at 7.45pm. 

Three men wearing balaclavas jumped out the vehicle and set alight five parked cars before driving off. 

Two men were seen setting fire to the Range Rover on the same day in Harvester Way, Edinburgh at around 8.15pm and fleeing the scene in a silver coloured vehicle.

A joint investigation has now been launched between CID officers in Edinburgh and West Lothian. 

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. 

The Range Rover used has been confirmed as stolen from a property in Edinburgh's Queen Margaret Close sometime between August 7th and 8th while the occupiers were on holiday.

The theieves also stole a silver Audi A3 with the registration SL16 SUX as well as several other household items including electronic devices.

The Audi was spotted in the Granton area of Edinburgh on Monday at 6.40pm and was later recovered by officers in Eildon Street. 

At around 6:40pm on Monday, August 8th, the Audi was spotted in the Granton area of the city and was later recovered by police in Eildon Street.

Detective Inspector Paul Batten of Livingston CID, said: "We are satisfied that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the general public.

"However, this was a brazen attack that caused several thousand pounds worth of damage as well as cause significant fear and alarm.

"Today, I'm appealing to anyone who saw the blue Range Rover Evoke at any point between Monday, August 8th, and Friday, August 12th, to come forward immediately.

"Likewise, anyone who has information relating to the housebreaking in Queen Margaret Close between August 7th and 8th is asked to come forward.

"In particular, I would be interested to hear from anyone who remembers any suspicious activity in the area of Queen Margaret Close around the time of this crime."

Those with relevant information are asked to contact police in 101 or alternatively a report can be made anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.