WINDOW cleaners will now need a licence to operate in North Ayrshire.

As of January next year window cleaners operating in the area will need official approval after police chiefs reported that last year 17 offenders had claimed to be window cleaners.

The new rule was unanimously agreed at a meeting of North Ayrshire Council’s Licensing Committee and will come into effect from the start of 2019.

Any window cleaner should apply for a £126 licence as soon as possible after Monday May 21, 2018.

The decision comes following advice from Police Scotland when it was agreed that as window cleaners have access to properties they – like taxi drivers – should be fit and proper and have undergone the proper checks.

Police say that in 2017 there were 17 alleged offences committed by people who gave their occupation as a window cleaner.

Offences include housebreaking (two offences), theft from motor vehicle and fraud, possession of drugs (three offences), serious assault (three offences, one involving carrying an offensive weapon), shoplifting, road traffic offences, drinking in public, stalking and indecent communication, culpable and reckless conduct, drink driving and an abusive behaviour offence (against a rival window cleaner).