Published: Thursday, 21st May, 2009 7:00am

Reported crime down

THE number of crimes reported to police in Prestonpans fell by six per cent compared to last month.

Members of Prestonpans Community Council were told that 77 crimes were recorded between April 15 and May 12, including attempted theft, house breaking, breach of the peace and shoplifting.

Community police officer Greg McBeth also stated that a youth initiative carried out over Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, involved several youths being spoken to and taken home, and large amounts of alcohol was seized and disposed.

About 42 youth-related calls were made to police, which included reports of attempts to set fires, smashing a bus shelter and running over cars.

Thefts were made at three different stores within the town - alcohol was stolen from Lidl on High Street, toiletries were snatched from Somerfield within Links Shopping Centre, and groceries were taken from Nisa Stores on Redburn Road.

Prestongrange Bowling Club was targeted on April 27 between 1-1.30am, when the site was broken in to and searched but nothing was stolen, and two unoccupied houses at the Stuart Milne building site, on Mid Road, were broken in to overnight on May 5 and May 6 but again, nothing was stolen.

Overnight on May 10 and May 11, a house was broken in to and a small amount of cash and cigarettes were taken.