POLICE in Largs have earned praise from an MSP for their “exceptional” record of targeting shoplifters following a recent spate of incidents in the town.

Police Scotland's local officers had a 100 per cent rate in detections for shoplifting offences, as revealed at a recent meeting of North Ayrshire Council's police sub-committee.

West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said: “Reports of a spate of shoplifting in Largs are concerning, especially for the hardworking retail workers who are on the receiving end of this kind of crime.

“What is clear is that local police have done an excellent job in responding to these incidents, and I want to commend them for their exceptional detection rate.

"Our local towns and shops should be seen as safe places to work, shop, and visit, and a strong local police presence is essential to achieving that.”

Police confirmed an arrest has been made after two shoplifting incidents in Largs on the same day by an alleged perpetrator.

The incidents happened at Semi-Chem in Tron Place in Largs town centre, and was one of seven shopliftings taking place during the reporting period of mid-May to mid-June.

The crimes featured in the recent report provided by Police Scotland to Largs Community Council.

The Largs Community Council report states that an arrest took place after the two incidents were detected at Semi-Chem on May 18.

Semi-Chem was targeted again on June 1 in a separate incident, and another arrest took place.

The other incidents took place at Tesco on May 21, and Boots on May 22, both of which were also detected.

Further incidents took place in Co-op and Tesco Express on May 28, both of which resulted in arrests, as well as a second incident at Tesco Express on June 16.

Officers told North Ayrshire councillors that they had stepped up their focus on shoplifting in the area after a recent increase in reported offences.