THREE 16-year-olds have appeared in court in connection with a string of housebreaking and theft incidents in Dunbar.

Police said a 16-year-old male was arrested and charged after several houses were entered with intent to steal in the town and a pedal cycle was stolen on Monday.

He is also facing a charge of resisting arrest and police assault and appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

A 16-year-old male and female were also arrested and charged with 13 crimes of dishonesty, ranging from the alleged theft of a motor vehicle to housebreaking in Dunbar and Eyemouth.

They also appeared in the court yesterday.

None of the three accused can be named as they are under 18.

Community Inspector Alan Hogarth praised local residents for their help.

He said: “I am very grateful to members of the community who called us with information that led to the detention of these individuals, and for the support shown by Dunbar people. It was an outstanding example of the public being fully behind police officers, working with us to keep East Lothian communities safe.”