CHILDREN ARRESTED AS PART OF CRIME BLITZ
Kids as young as 14 held after huge operation across county
Children as young as 14 have been arrested following a police operation to tackle acquisitive crime across Ayrshire.
A total of 90 suspects, aged from 14 to 56, were held in relation to more than 190 alleged crimes.
The offences include multiple thefts of high performance cars in Ayr, numerous break- ins to commercial properties in the town’s industrial area, holiday fraud at local caravan parks, theft of garden and plant equipment in Ayr, Troon and Prestwick, credit card fraudand much more.
And officers recovered more than £ 250,000 worth of goods.
goods. ‘ Operation Dissolve’ was launched in June to target crimes such as housebreaking, theft, fraud, bogus callers and online scams.
There were two dedicated teams of officers from departments including local policing, Divisional Violence Reduction Unit and CID who work throughout Ayrshire to help tackle these issues.
The team target all levels of acquisitive crime, where an offender takes items from another person, reported in local communities.
They solved 61 thefts of motor vehicles, 26 housebreakings, 48 other thefts and 55 other acquisitive crimes.
Detective Inspector Ross Black, who led the investigation, said: “As our operation continues we remain committed to increasing detections.
“We analyse crime trends and use all techniques available to us to focus on where resources should target to ensure we are making the biggest impact in our local communities and stop repeat offending.
“Housebreaking and vehicle crimes often involve opportunistic thieves who will try doors to check if they are insecure or steal valuables left on display.
“The public also have a part to play in not making it easy for these criminals. I’d ask that they don’t leave doors or windows unlocked or leave car keys where they can be easily accessed.
“Operation Dissolve is set to keep on targeting acquisitive crime and also take on tackling aspects of serious and organised crimes, with officers continuing to review its success.
“However, the support of the public is vital to our policing operations.
“I would urge anyone who has concerns about crimes taking place in their communities, or who has information that will assist our operations to contact their