A SURGE in shoplifting in Largs has seen an increase to 13 incidents reported during the past month.

Members of Largs Community Council expressed concern at the situation during a recent meeting and also at a number of incidents of retail members having been allegedly assaulted in the town, after reports in Gallowgate Street and on Largs Prom.

The incidents included five at Co-op supermarket in Gallowgate Street on August 14, 22, 23 (twice) and 31, and six incidents in Morrison's Supermarket on August  24, 26 (twice), 27, and September 3 and 11.

A total of seven of the 13 incidents were detected, with three arrests, one teen being reported to the Children's Panel, and three recorded warnings.

One of the incidents happened at a premises in Nelson Street, while the other happened at a shop in Holehouse Road.

There have also been reports of assaults on retail staff at a number of premises in town - on August 13, 31, both in Gallowgate Street, and September 14, on the prom.

The police took questions from the public and Largs Community Council during a recent meeting held in Vikingar! on the matters.

Community councillor Margaret Wood, who sits on the police sub committee, said: "The assaults reported on retail staff - that is quite worrying if that is happening. Is it happening in Morrison's or the smaller shops?"

Sergeant Donald Fisher said: "The incident which had multiple offences including 'staff assault' - it happened in Co-op and it was someone causing a disturbance in the shop and they barged their way past the staff worker to get out, and then it all kicked off when we were dealing with the person, and they resisted arrest."

Largs Community Council chairman Jim Phillips highlighted the fact that there were five shoplifting incidents apiece in the Co-op and at Morrison's supermarkets. 

Ms Wood said that it was 'very good' that seven of the shoplifting incidents had been detected, and asked what the reason for the detections were.

Sgt Fisher said that it was a combination of good CCTV in the shop premises and police having good experience of shoplifting incidents and being able to identify potential people involved who are potentially known troublemakers from more than one occasion.

Sgt Donald Fisher of Largs Police took questions at community council meetingSgt Donald Fisher of Largs Police took questions at community council meeting (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Wood also pointed out that there had been six drugs arrests in the town during the past month, which was an increase on recent months.

Sgt Fisher said: "There have been a couple of warrants for house searches, and we have had to build up a picture in putting forward a case to a sheriff in order to get the warrant, and although there was not as much in terms of results on a previous month, it doesn't mean that work hasn't been carried out on the matter."

Member of the public Janet Muir praised the police for their help and assistance, and said: "We had an incident in our street, and the police and CID were brilliant."