Ayrshire MSP Sharon Dowey is calling on the Scottish Government to provide greater funding to Police Scotland to allow the force to crack down on shoplifting in South Ayrshire.

The request comes after meetings with retailers who have highlighted the increase in shoplifting in stores in Ayrshire and across the country.

Recent data shows that in South Ayrshire the number of shoplifting incidents has risen by 23 per cent year-on-year from 775 incidents in the year ending June 2022 to 952 incidents in the year ending June 2023.

Commenting, Ms Dowey, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the South Scotland region, said: “It should ring alarm bells that shoplifting incidents have spiked by almost 25 per cent in South Ayrshire over the last year.

“The police need more resources to clamp down on offending.

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“After meeting with various retailers, I know violence against retail workers is also a serious problem.

“Retail staff should be able to go to their work without fear that they will be targeted by shoplifters or have to deal with violence.

“The SNP Government must provide the police with extra resources to target shoplifters in South Ayrshire.

“Unless action is taken, they will be giving shoplifters the green light to carry on offending, and that will only serve to harm businesses and their retail staff who just want to get on with their jobs.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.