Housebreakings are down across the area while Ayrshire's top cop says officers are working to tackle rising sexual crime reports.

Housebreaking crimes, including attempts, fell by more than 170 against the same period last year.

Recorded incidents of common theft are also down by more than 250, according to a recent report.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain said: “Officers are accessible to Ayrshire’s communities and their regular engagement with them has contributed to the national increase in public confidence.

“While the area is recording significant reductions across certain crime groups, it also mirrors the national picture with an increase in sexual-related crime where recorded incidents of indecent/sexual assault are up by 58.

“Police Scotland is developing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and a key part of it will be involving and listening to survivors.

"Tackling sexual crime remains a priority and we will continue to focus campaigns and enforcement in this area.

“Online offending is also very much a part of frontline policing.”

Police Scotland’s Quarter 3 Performance Report shows that increased visibility of officers and a consistent service during the COP26 climate conference were key factors in strengthening public confidence in policing.

The report outlines findings of the service’s Your Police Survey between October and December when more than 800 members of the public shared their views on policing.