SHOPLIFTING offences in East Lothian have more than doubled in the last year as police recorded a staggering rise of 116.5 per cent in the thefts.

New police statistics released last week show 171 thefts by shoplifting were reported between April and June this year – almost two a day – compared to 79 incidents over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, motor vehicle crime also rocketed, with thieves stealing or attempting to steal a vehicle almost daily during the same period.

Overall, crime in East Lothian has risen by nearly 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year, but detection rates have also gone up.

A total of 895 crimes were reported across the county during the period, compared to 799 across the same period of time last year.

But the number of arrests in connection with crimes also went up by 19 per cent to 451, taking detection rates over 50 per cent.

Violent crime fell by nearly 28 per cent, with only 13 offences falling into that category. There were also falls in sex crimes and fire-raising.

The main increase came in dishonesty crimes, which included the spiralling problem of shoplifting across the county and motor vehicle crime.

Police have run a number of campaigns urging drivers to check they have locked their cars at night.

The latest report showed the number of vehicles targeted and either stolen or an attempt made to steal rose from 47 to 74 – up by 57 per cent.

Detection rates for motor vehicle crime rose by 10 per cent to an average of one in three leading to arrests; however, the number of shoplifting cases which led to arrests fell from three out of four to just 57 per cent.

Despite high-profile concerns about break-ins across the county, the number of actual crimes fell, with just 35 house-breakins recorded during April and June this year.

Councillor Tim Day, chairman of the newly formed East Lothian Police and Fire Scrutiny Committee, said he looked forward to discussing the figures at the group’s first meeting in November.

He said: “In terms of the detail, I am pleased to see that the worrying rise in housebreaking in recent years appears to have subsided; I know that housebreaking has been, and remains, a priority for local police with a number of intelligence-led operations, including a recent day of action leading to a number of arrests.

“Housebreaking is a devastating crime which has a serious impact on victims, and I am glad it remains a policing priority.

“I am also pleased to see a 15 per cent fall in reported anti-social behaviour, which can seriously impact on communities and residents quality of life. East Lothian Council works closely with police to address this issue, and I am delighted to see this close partnership working continues to contribute to a fall in reported incidents.

“I am, however, alarmed to see significant increases in theft by shoplifting and motor vehicle crime, and these are certainly areas that I’m sure the police will be keen to address if the trend continues over the coming months.

“Whilst these increases give cause for concern, it is important to note that East Lothian is, and continues to be, a safe place to live.”