Police fail to solve 7 out of 10 housebreakings in Ayrshire with an MSP warning the force is at "breaking point."
The latest recorded crime statistics have lifted the lid on the number of housebreaking cases that are classed as "not cleared" with cops unable to gather enough evidence in order to arrest brazen crooks.
It comes as Ayrshire's top cop Faroque Hussain admits that officers are being met with challenges in a "tightening financial" environment.
The Scottish Government data shows that in 2022-2023 has shown that North Ayrshire tops the grim chart with 187 crimes committed over the past year.
South and East Ayrshire are tied neck and neck with exactly 170 housebreakings recorded in both local authorities.
Worryingly in North Ayrshire 70.1 per cent of housebreakings went unsolved. Meanwhile in South Ayrshire 65.9 per cent of housebreakings went unsolved with 71.2 per cent of housebreakings classified as 'not cleared up' in East Ayrshire. As a result the shock data gives a blanket score of 7 out 10 across entire region.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has branded the figures a 'disgrace' with housebreaking having a traumatic impact on victims.
Mr Smyth said: "These shocking figures reveal the pressure police in our region are under, with years of SNP mismanagement pushing services to breaking point.
“Housebreaking can cause its victims both financial loss and serious distress, and it will add insult to injury that so many perpetrators get off scot-free.
“The SNP-Green government must rule out any damaging cuts to policing in Ayrshire, so we can trust that the police have the resources they need to tackle crime and keep our area safe.”
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain believes that crime has crept up to the same levels it was pre-pandemic and officers are finding it a challenge to "maintain detection rates" whilst also respond to "increasingly complex individual and community needs."
Chief Superintendent Hussain added: “Our policing response is based on an assessment of threat, risk and harm to ensure the most vulnerable get the help they need and deserve and Police Scotland has driven high levels of operational competence for all our communities.
“We understand the impact that housebreaking has on victims. Housebreaking in Scotland remains significantly lower than the five-year average and compared to pre-pandemic levels. Housebreaking is not just people’s homes, it can also be garages, sheds and commercial properties.”
The Scottish Government say that the number of housebreakings is on the decline with crime rates overall dipping to their lowest levels since 1974.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Crimes such as housebreakings can have a profound impact on victims and support is available at Victim Support Scotland.
“Neighbourhood safety is a priority for the Scottish Government which is why we are investing £1.45 billion in policing in 2023/24 and supporting their work to protect our communities.
“Recorded crime overall is at one of the lowest levels seen since 1974. The latest statistics show housebreaking remains at a much lower level across Scotland than pre-pandemic, with a reduction of more than 75% within East Ayrshire and nearly 70% in South Ayrshire since 2007.”
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