THEFT by shoplifting increased in the Wee County last year, according to figures from Police Scotland.

Officers recorded 134 instances of shoplifting between April and September 2022, a nearly 60 per cent increase compared to the same period the year before.

The figures will be presented to Clackmannanshire Council's Audit and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, April 20, along with a number of examples of everyday police work in the area.

While the number of shopliftings increased in the county, common assaults reduced by 8.5 per cent, to 280 and there were 141 less complaints regarding disorder, a 10 per cent decrease.

The number of robberies went from seven to 15 but crimes of violence were on the down as a whole, the Kilncraigs chamber will hear.

The police performance report will also highlight practical examples of work by officers in the area, including multi-agency working through the Safeguarding Through Rapid Intervention (STRIVE) initiative.

In one example, officers were able to disrupt serious organised crime after a male was arrested in August.

He was found in possession of more than 30g of cocaine and other drugs.

Executing a search warrant at his home address, officers recovered various benzodiazepines, cocaine and heroin to the value of around £17,000.

A quantity of cash was also seized along with scales and other drugs paraphernalia.

Another male was arrested at the same address for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and both men later appeared at court.

The report also dedicated a section to parking issues – something that was the subject of an exchange between police chiefs and Cllr Craig Holden at the committee's October 27, 2022 meeting.

The Clacks South representative had voiced his dissatisfaction over the parking situation in Alloa town centre last year.

According to the report for the coming meeting, 68 parking tickets and warnings were issued in the Wee County between April and September last year for inappropriate parking around schools.

In June the community policing team held a day of action in Alloa town centre with 26 parking tickets issued.

Eight were for parking in loading bays and 18 for parking on double yellow lines.

Another day of action came in August with eight tickets issued and nine drivers warned.

The report added: "Parking issues in the areas of greatest community concern continue to be monitored on a daily basis and the appropriate legislation enforced."