Police have handed out 117 fines in North Ayrshire related to residents breaking COVID-19 restrictions.

Officers issued the £60 fixed penalty notices between April 1 and September 30.

A police report warned there were a number of repeat offenders but most people in the area stuck to the rules.

The figures were presented to the council’s police and fire and rescue committee earlier this week.

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain said residents have been phoning the police to report neighbours breaching Covid regulations with visitors.

The Ayrshire Divisional Commander said there were crime “reductions across the board.” 

But he pointed out a surge in disorder complaints, which rose by 25 per cent. There were a total 4,757 disorder incidents.

Chief Superintendent Hussain said: “We’ve attributed that down to an increase in the reports we have received from the members of the public regarding perceived breaches of coronavirus regulations.”

The performance summary report said: “There has been a significant increase in the number of reported anti-social behaviour incidents, these are generally related to households or individuals not adhering to COVID restrictions. From the April 1 to September 30 this has resulted in 117 Fixed Penalty notices being issued in North Ayrshire.”

A total of 6,282 crimes were recorded during the period.

Many types of crime fell over the course of six months.

Chief Superintendent Hussain warned about a rise in fraud, describing it as a “concern.”

Stevenston Cllr Jimmy Miller said he is pleased crime is down.

North Ayrshire Recent Crime statistics
Sexual Crimes: down 23 per cent
Fireraising / Vandalism: down 15 per cent
Shoplifting: down: 29 per cent
Motor Vehicle Crime up: 17 per cent
Fraud up: 119 per cent
Speeding: down-  39 per cent
Driving without Insurance or Licence up – 46 per cent
Drink / Drug Driving up – 79 per cent
Domestic Abuse: down 8.8 per cent
Overall violent crime: down 13 per cent
Missing people: up 45 per cent
Housebreaking: down 6.8 per cent