HOUSEBREAKING has seen a major decrease in Irvine, according to new police figures.

According to the Irvine West police report for August, presented to the most recent meeting of Irvine Community Council, there has been a 60 per cent reduction in housebreaking compared with the same period last year.

The report revealed that 287 crimes occurred in the month of August including 43 breach of the peace incidents, 36 common assaults and 20 cases of damage to property. Out of that figure, 217 crimes were detected.

In August 2014, 295 crimes were reported with 220 detections.

But while overall crime, vehicle crime and serious assaults reported a decrease, the area has seen an increase in common assaults and robberies.

Common assault in particular is up by 12 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.

PC’s Miriam Thomson and Brendan Coltart attended the most recent Irvine Community Council meeting on Wednesday, September 16.

The officers revealed that a number of designated patrol plans have been drawn up for the Irvine area.

Areas of particular focus at the moment include the Kirk Vennel/Glebe Primary School area where youths have been reportedly causing annoyance.

But the officers insisted that the majority of the reports have been complaints about kids playing football.

Police will also continue to monitor the area surrounding Ayrshire Central for anti-social behaviour and the West Road/Low Green area for traffic and parking.