POLICE are urging Three Towns residents to secure their wheelie bins after a recent spate of thefts.

Officers say homeowners should be vigilant after 42 bins have been pinched from gardens and side streets in North Ayrshire since May.  Last week a schoolboy was arrested and charged for alleged theft of a wheelie bin and police say it’s just the latest in a long line of similar incidents which have seen yobs stealing bins then setting them alight.

And at a cost of almost £40 each for a replacement, residents really need to be on their guard.

Inspector Jim McMillan, Community Policing Inspector said: “Local officers have been conducting enquiries into recent incidents and raising awareness amongst residents in areas where we have noted a rise.  “We recently reported a 14-year-old youth for the alleged theft of a bin from a property in the town and will continue to work with communities and North Ayrshire Council to target this issue.

“It is unclear as to why the bins are being stolen but they are expensive to replace and have previously been set on fire causing further damage to areas including playing fields.” If you are the victim of bin theft, you are able to get a replacement free of charge, but according to North Ayrshire Council’s website, only if it has been reported to the local police and the resident can provide a crime incident reference number.  According to the rules, even if you leave your bin out on the pavement for too long, the council can remove it.  Their Policy for Waste Collection Services was produced in 2013 and despite being in place for a number of years now, it seems that it is still a bit unclear on how it all works.  For example, if you are moving into a house that for any reason doesn’t have a bin or you’re buying a new home and the developers don’t purchase a bin, you have to fork out almost £40 for EACH bin.  New brown, grey and blue bins are priced at £38.90 with a smaller brown bin available for £26.80.  However, if you have more than five people permanently residing in one place, the amount of rubbish you produce is going to be a bit more and you can request another blue or grey bin.  You can also request this on medical grounds or if you use a large amount of disposal nappies but there is a requirement to return the extra bin when there is no longer a child residing in the house who is under four-years-old.  One disgruntled home owner in North Ayrshire, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “With home owners paying council tax that is supposed to cover council services including rubbish collection and disposal it’s absurd that NAC are charging home owners over £115 to allow them to follow NAC rubbish collection and waste disposal process.” A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The  Council approved a revised waste collection policy in September 2013 and it has been operating successfully since.  “Full details are on our website and you can also call 01294 310000 for any additional information.” To increase the security of your bin Police Scotland advise residents take the following steps: - Add your house number and post code to your bin using paint or marker/.

- Keep your bin in your back garden or out of sight in a garage or shed.

- Try to retrieve your bin as soon as possible after the council have collected.

- Secure your bin by using a chain or bike lock and attaching it in your garage or to your property.

- Report any suspicious activity to police immediately by calling 101.

Do you feel it’s unfair that people should have to pay for new bins? Get in touch with us by emailing editorial@ardrossanherald.co.uk.