A POLICE probe has been launched following the removal of a flood gate in Peebles during the height of the storms.

The theft put homeowners and businesses at risk after the Tweed burst its banks last weekend.

Peebles Community Council raised concerns at the disappearance of the flood barrier within the Tweed Avenue vennel which was fitted to protect the surrounding homes.

Chairman Les Turnbull said: “This has wider ramifications for the community who live near Tweed Green.

"Apparently it was removed shortly before it was required to be used.”

Councillor Robin Tatler who is a member of the Peebles Resilient Community group, said the barriers were put up on Sunday following flood warnings.

And by the time he inspected the area in the afternoon it had been removed.

Police confirmed that inquiries are on-going.

Councillor Tatler added: “We were close to having a serious issue as the river was very high.

"The community resilience group were active and we just have to be vigilant because there’s still a risk.

"I had just suggested reinvigorating and having an exercise and it just demonstrated at the weekend that we really do need to be on top of these things.”

Mr Turnbull added: “Can I just place on record out appreciation from the community council for the work that the resilience group does. They were doing an awful lot of work over the weekend, there was a lot of information on Facebook telling the public what they were doing, and it’s greatly appreciated.”