Street’s Got Talent is sad to report that a busker in Edinburgh had his guitar, worth £3000, stolen as he dozed off for 30 minutes whilst waiting for a coach.

Folk musician Gareth Forsyth has been busking with his guitar for 10 years and says that he now has no means of making a living.

Forsyth said: “I’m usually more careful as my guitar is all I have to make a few quid.” His phone and wallet were also stolen, but it is his guitar that has caused the most upset because it was a treasured gift from his mother, bought for him more than a decade ago to help him as he embarked on a musical career. The guitar is even fondly known as Mildred.

Appeals have been put on Scottish news websites and social media websites to ask people to look out for the distinctive guitar in case it is being sold by the thieves on the black market. The guitar is in a Hiscox flight case, has distinctive markings and sports a black scratchplate on its bottom right.

Unfortunately, Forsyth is the latest in a string of buskers who have been targeted in the area. In August, thieves stole a £1000 rare guitar belonging to Simon Reid, a student at Edinburgh Napier University along with £500 of other musical equipment.

So performers out there, please be careful with your equipment – you never know who’s lurking around and things with sentimental value are priceless.

Have you been the victim of theft whilst busking – of equipment or money? Please get in touch and share your story.

- Rebecca Lloyd