A THIEF in Musselburgh is believed to have got into a home in the town by using a cat flap.

The theft was revealed at a meeting of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, where police said they were targeting the “scourge” of illegal drugs, break-ins to properties and anti-social behaviour.

Community councillors heard that, during the past month, there were 594 calls to police and 80 crimes recorded.

PC Fiona Harrison, from the community action team, highlighted that five properties were broken into. It was suspected that the person responsible for one in the Stoneybank area got in through a cat flap at the back of the premises.

Properties on Clayknowes Road and Ferguson Drive were also targeted but nothing was stolen. Items were also stolen from an address in the town centre.

PC Harrison said that police had carried out high-visibility patrols to deter criminals who often came from Edinburgh.

She said: “Unfortunately, because Musselburgh attaches on to the city, it is the first place a lot of the city criminals come to.”

PC Harrison added that there were 18 further thefts, including shoplifting and two motorcycles stolen.

She highlighted recent successful illegal drugs enforcement activity in East Lothian. Called Operation Jigsaw, it was supported by more than 90 officers. Four addresses in Musselburgh were searched under warrant as part of the initiative, with more than £50,000 worth of drugs removed from communities across the county. More than £20,000 worth of heroin was recovered, as well as £28,000 of other class A drugs, such as cocaine and esctasy, and quantities of class B and C drugs like cannabis and amphetamines.

PC Harrison said: “Support from our communities is vital in tackling drug crime and we will act on the information we receive from the public.”

She added: “We have had some really fantastic results throughout East Lothian. Drugs are such a scourge.”

Seven men were stopped and searched by police and found to be in possession of personal amounts of cannabis in the Musselburgh area. One male, who was stopped in his vehicle, was found in possession of almost 100 grams of cannabis. He was charged with supplying drugs.

A male and female were stopped for erratic driving in Musselburgh and were charged after being found in possession of 16 grams of cocaine, 72 grams of herbal cannabis and offensive weapons. Another male was stopped and searched and found in possession of cannabis and amphetamine. An address was searched and 22 grams of heroin and a personal amount cannabis were found. Two people were charged with supplying drugs.

There were 39 calls relating to anti-social behaviour and fixed penalty fines were issued. Fourteen were youth-related and locations included the Brunton Hall and Fisherrow areas. PC Dougie Smith has been working with schools, trying to raise awareness about the issue and the impact anti-social behaviour has on the rest community.

PC Harrison said that one youth was taken home and warned after jumping on the roof of a car, although there was no damage to the vehicle. She added that two vehicles had their wing mirrors kicked off in the Musselburgh area.

“This is one of our target areas,” she stressed.

PC Harrison said a man was robbed in Musselburgh and had money stolen from him. Four suspects were identified, with three arrested on the day and another since arrested. A male was arrested on High Street for refusing to leave premises and was charged with various offences, including police assault.

In relation to driving offences, three vehicles have been seized and their owners reported for having no insurance. One person was reported for driving outwith the terms of their licence and two people were reported for failing to stop and stealing a vehicle. One person was reported for careless driving.