THE number of thefts from licensed premises in East Lothian nearly trebled over the last year, according to a police report, with fears that the situation will get worse as the increased cost of alcohol has an impact.

The Chief Constable’s report to East Lothian Council’s licensing board revealed that between April 2017 and March 2018, officers were called to investigate 173 thefts from off-sales in the county – compared to just 60 incidents in the previous year.

Inspector Andrew Harborow told the board that, while it was too early to state whether the introduction of a minimum price on alcohol was having an impact on the increase in thefts, it was in his view “likely” to be a factor in the recent trend.

The county’s licensed premises performed well over the year, according to the report, with pubwatch initiatives operating successfully in the county and 19 premises taking part in the Best Bar None awards scheme, which rewards good practice.

Throughout the year there were only four incidents reported for prosecution from licensed premises and they all related to people refusing to leave. There were no drunk or disorderly conduct offences registered.

Police said they were called to licensed premises 384 times during the year, compared to 253 the previous year, but nearly half of those related to the reported thefts.

In one unusual case during the year, the Chief Constable’s report revealed the police licensing officer had teamed up with the council’s licensing team after a premises in Prestonpans was found to be selling ‘slush puppies’ with vodka shots in them.

The report said: “The licence holder was spoken to and the activity stopped.”

East Lothian police licensing officer Heather Bowsher told the board that the low number of crimes relating to drunk and disorderly conduct was “in many cases down to officers using their discretion”.

Police thanked the licensing officers and board for their support throughout the year.