Housebreaking soars across South Ayrshire

FOUR organised gangs in the County

last two years, particularly for domestic housebreakings.”

It added: “Further action plans have commenced and will focus on known offenders and areas of vulnerability.”

Here is a breakdown of housebreakings for each South Ayrshire ward between April 1 and July 31:

• Troon: 14

• Prestwick: 4

• Ayr North: 18

• Ayr East: 5

• Ayr West: 25

• Kyle: 9

• Maybole North, Carrick and Cumnock: 16

• Girvan and South Carrick: 16 Crime has shot up by nine per cent overall - with 3,454 offences taking place.

Ayrshire Chief Superintendent Mark Hargreaves said: “We are looking at a mixed picture across the board.”

He said police proactivity has led to more detections of certain crimes - such as drugs offences. recorded between April 1 and July 31.

Chief Superintendent Hargreaves said people have increasing confidence to report domestic abuse.

Police recorded 76 sexual crimes, down six per cent. Overall violent crime fell to 407 cases - down by one per cent. Disorder complaints numbered 1,835 - down seven percent.

The meeting also heard there are four serious and organised crime gangs operating in Ayrshire.

The illegal empires are making most of their money from drugs and some have gangster links to other parts of the UK.

The report to the South Ayrshire Council Partnerships Panel said officers have charged more alleged suppliers.

It said: “Drug dealing and misuse continues to remain a focus with drug supply charges up to 26 this year already. This includes some very significant seizures in recent months, mainly as a result of information from the public.”

Between April 1 and July 31 this year police made 26 drug supply charges in South Ayrshire compared to 20 during the same period last year.

Speaking after the meeting, Ayr North Councillor Ian Cavana, Labour, said: “The police are detecting more drugs. People think the drugs are getting worse but there is better detection.”

The number of criminal groups in Ayrshire has plunged from nine in 2016

A new detective inspector has been appointed to fight the war on drugs in Ayrshire.

DI Ross Black, of the Ayrshire CID pro- active crime team, is focusing on disrupting the trade in illegal substances.”