The rise in shoplifting crimes across West Dunbartonshire is not linked to a reduction in town centre police officer numbers, police have insisted.

A report presented to members of the council’s housing and communities committee said shoplifting incidents remain above the five-year average.

During the meeting depute council leader Michelle McGinty raised concerns over the rise and whether this was due to the number of town centre officers being reduced, but was reassured that there was an issue with absences across the board.

Councillor Michelle McGinty said: “We have all noticed the massive difference the town centre police officers have made across the area but we have obviously noticed within the last few months they have not been around.

“Does that have an impact on your shoplifting figures because I know that the one [officer] in Dumbarton was very well known to everyone, was on the scene and he probably did deter people from acts of shoplifting so I am just wondering if there was a link between both.

“I think it just shows you the difference they make that we actually notice it when they are not there and people comment on it because they have become used to the officers in our town centres.”

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Retail crime remains a priority for the local police division and dedicated town centre patrols are engaging with retailers as are the Preventions Team based at Dumbarton.

They are working with local businesses offering advice to retailers on product placement and shop layout and have increased our shoplifting detection rate by 5.1%.

A Police Spokeswoman said: “I understand where you are coming from with regards to that but the figures are a national sort of pattern we are seeing across the board.

“There has not been a reduction in our town centre officer reduction numbers. The issue that we have had is we are carrying an absence and what we have done is we have redeployed officers from elsewhere to be able to give attention but obviously they are dealing with different areas as well.

“There is no reduction in the town centre officers, you will see the officer back there.”