THIEVES are targeting fitness fans at one of Glasgow's round-the-clock gyms.

Bosses at the Bath Street branch of Pure Gym have sent emails to members, warning them to be on their guard after a spate of thefts.

At least five gym users have had personal items, including wallets, purses, watches and a mobile phone, stolen.

Police said it is not yet clear if the crimes are linked.

The first incident, which was reported to police, took place on January 15, when a woman had her purse stolen from the female locker room.

On February 22, a man's wallet was stolen from a secure locker in male changing rooms.

And on the same day, a woman had her jacket, its contents and her watch, nabbed from the female locker room.

Two weeks ago, on March 8, a man reported his wallet had been stolen from the locker room.

Last Wednesday, a gym user had a mobile phone and watch taken from the locker room.

Pure Gym is one of Scotland's biggest 24-hour gyms with members being able to access the three-storey city centre building any time with a pin code.

The club is staffed 24 hours and there are CCTV cameras throughout the gym which are monitored by an external company 24 hours a day. In its email to members, Pure Gym bosses, said: "It has come to our attention that there is a group of thieves targeting local gyms around the UK.

"Some of our members have been affected by this group of thieves and we are working with the police and external crime prevention providers to identify and apprehend these criminals.

"We have increased locker room inspections and also have increased monitoring on our CCTV systems."

Gym staff are now warning members to be on their guard and to "refrain from bringing unnecessary items of value into our clubs".

The email added: "Pure Gym will provide help to the police to prosecute any member found to be tampering with lockers or accessing other members belongings without their consent."

The premises, with full disabled access, has around 190 training machines, and a specialist fitness studio.

A spokesman for the fitness firm said: "We tell all members to lock their valuables away in the lockers provided to ensure their belongings are kept safe.

"However there has been one incident in the past month where a lock on a locker was tampered with and valuables were taken.

"With the extra security measures in place, no lockers at Bath Street have been broken into since."

Police confirmed they have received reports of theft at the gym and asked anyone with information to contact them.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk