Concerns raised that crime has 'skyrocketed' in Largs

Members of the town's community council said it was worrying that crimes of a more extreme nature had been taking place, with three incidents of a sexual nature contained within the crime report for the past month including rape, assaults and robberies.

An alleged sexual assault took place in Gallowgate Street on July 28, and an alleged rape took place on Largs Promenade on July 23, while an' indecency' incident took place at Brooksby car park on July 31.
And in another incident on July 27 in Seamore Street, there was an incident where an individual 'exposed themselves to others' according to the crime report distributed to the community council.

'Open drug dealing' in Nelson Street and Seamore Street, and in shelters on the seafront, was also raised as an area of concern.

The police report stated: "We are acutely aware that there are crimes of a sexual nature on this month’s report.

"All relevant enquiry is being carried out and reports submitted as necessary. They are independent incidents and unrelated to each other."

Community council chairman Jim Philips said that the overall crime report was "worrying and concerning", while Margaret Wood, who chairs the police sub committee, agreed.

Community councillor Margaret Wood (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "I find it extremely worrying what is happening in the town given the amount that has been happening in just a month.

"I understand that the police can't be everywhere, but the types of crime that are coming through are much more severe than they have been previously.

"I don't know what the reason is, if it is under policing or some other reason, but reports of sexual assault, robbery and vandalism all seem to have skyrocketed in a four week period."

Police were asked if they could shed light on whether policing numbers had changed over the past four weeks.

Community officers responded at the meeting by saying that police numbers were the same as normal.

It was also pointed out that most of the incidents of a sexual nature had been detected by police and arrests had been made, but the flashing incident at Brooksby, which was the most recent of the incidents, was still being investigated.

One member of the public said that she had witnessed drug dealing openly taking place in two streets in the town - Nelson Street and Seamore Street, and at the shelters along the seafront, and asked if police were aware and what they were doing about the problem.

She said: "Even when you are out walking the dog along the seafront, you are aware of people out punting gear everywhere."

Chairman Jim Philips said: "You can understand why people of a certain age feel intimidated within the town as you have crowds of youths hanging about and drugs being openly exchanged in the town. It is frightening."

Mr Phillips asked for more plain clothes officers to carry out patrols.

Police responded that targeting drug dealing was among the biggest focuses of the police, and urged the public to contact them with any such sightings in order to target resources.

It was also pointed out that it was not a quick process as it depended on information coming through from the public and warrants being granted, but gave assurances that they were targeting the issue "as much as possible".

The police added in their crime report: "We have been carrying out more targeted stop searches and pro-activity towards drugs, which has seen more drug related offences identified."

You can report crime to the police via '101' or the Contact Us section of the Police Scotland website, or contact 999 if it is an emergency.