A man in his fifties was charged by police after a spate of thefts from cars in Irvine.

Police arrested and charged a 51-year-old Irvine man in relation to a number of thefts from vehicles in the Bourtreehill area on Thursday, April 8.

It's alleged the man was responsible for 12 offences between the April 6 and April 8, included theft from a motor vehicle, attempted theft from a motor vehicle and being in a place where it can be inferred that he was there to commit theft.

He has also been charged with being in possession of controlled drugs.

Sergeant Raymond Ferguson of Irvine Police Office said: “Aware of a number of reported incidents on previous nights the Priority Policing Team alongside Irvine Locality Officers conducted extensive local enquiry in the Bourtreehill area.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their assistance with our enquiries, as a result of this co-operation we were able to review footage from a number of CCTV systems which lead to the swift arrest of the man.”

“As a result of our enquiries we have recovered several items of property which we suspect are stolen and we are looking for these to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

"I would ask that if you are missing items, and believe them to have been stolen, please contact Police via 101 quoting incident no 2748 of 06/04.”

Police Scotland provide the following crime prevention advice:

• Vehicles should be locked and secure when not in use.

• I the vehicles is fitted with an alarm or immobiliser please use them.

• Park the vehicle in a well-lit area within sight of surround properties if possible.

• Do not leave anything valuable on open display within.