POLICE are on the trail of a crook who stole a van from Erskine.

The owner discovered his silver Ford Transit had disappeared from the car park of the former Erskine Bridge Hotel, now known as the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel, at around 6.50am this morning.

Police said the van has a home-made tracking device and it is believed the vehicle was near Paisley at around 11pm last night.

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who has information is asked to call officers on 101.