POLICE have seen a rise in the number of thefts across West Dunbartonshire.

Figures show there has been a rise in shoplifting, car thefts and house break-ins.

There have been 130 more car thefts and 25 more house break-ins compared to the same time last year.

Chief Superintendent Grant Manders revealed the figures – taken from April to August 2016 – at last week’s Community Alliance meeting.

He said: “We have seen a rise in terms of these Group 3 crimes and will be focusing attention to reduce the number of shoplifts, housebreakings and car thefts.

“These figures were taken over a four-month period but when we are going into five months, is it a spike or is it a trend?

“However, it is a small enough place that we can track the culprits in a relatively simple and professional manner.”

Chief Supt Manders also reported a 12-15 per cent reduction in domestic abuse.

He said this was “unusual” and told the Reporter: “The overall picture in West Dunbartonshire is that crimes have been going down, but we want to concentrate on areas where there have been spikes.

“Every crime has a victim and we want to work on tackling any increases. Focused attention will be going into the areas which have picked up.”

Police aim to reduce the number of housebreakings, improve detection rate and to target those involved in doorstep crime and support the victims.

In response to previous figures – taken from April 2015 to March 2016 - Operation Linnet 
was created due to a high number of housebreakings and vehicle crime.

The operation identified and targeted those responsible for committing these offences.

This involved police working with education, social work and housing groups to help detect many of the offences and find the perpetrators.