Anti-social behaviour in North Ayrshire has risen by 4.5 per cent in the last year, police have revealed.

But the figure is still down on the five year average for such offences, the North Ayrshire Police and Fire Rescue Committee have been told.

Most months have recorded increases during the year when compared with 2022-23, councillors were told.

It was initially thought this was due to good weather earlier in the year, but the trend continued throughout the rest of the period.

Incidents involving youths accounted for just over 11 per cent of reports. Other emerging issues included derelict buildings, off road bikes, and anti social behaviour in "hot spot areas".

Off-road bikes or quads in areas including Ardeer, Stevenston and Kilwinning continued to cause concern. 

Intelligence-led action plans into quad bike offences continued, resulting in a number of detections and seizures. Police said a number of enquiries remained live with positive lines of enquiry following partnership working and review of CCTV. 

Over the reporting period, joint patrols were carried out with British Transport Police in response to youth disorder. 

This was in response to acts of fire raising and general disorder in a number of areas of North Ayrshire, where it was identified that those involved were travelling by train.

The committee also heard that each weekend, officers patrol within town centre areas, conducting proactive, high visible visits to licensed premises, providing public reassurance and support to night-time economy workers.

Throughout the period local officers undertook 353 visits to licensed premises. 

Anti-social behaviour was the focus of the festive initiative and high visibility directed patrols were carried out near hot spot areas. 

The Anti-Social Behaviour Liaison Officer continues to highlight incidents to the council and they opened 54 investigations during the period, resulting in one case proceeding to eviction.