POLICE say they will be stepping up patrols in Irvine and Kilwinning over the festive season.

Officers from the towns’ locality policing teams will be out and about as shoppers and revellers descend on the town centres over the coming weeks.

Businesses were offered the chance to benefit from crime prevention sessions provided by Ayrshire Police Division at the Volunteer Rooms in Irvine on Tuesday (December 6)

Sergeant Jason Peter, of the Irvine Locality Policing Team, said: “In the run up to Christmas our town centre areas in particular will see an increased volume of shoppers and revellers - we will be deploying officers to these areas to support businesses and our partners including local CCTV operators to provide a safe environment for all.

“We are offering a number of crime prevention sessions for retail staff and those working in the licensed trade to look at current tactics used by criminals, preventing violence and at how we can all work together to promote safety.”