Concerns have been raised about reports of a rise in the number of assaults and break-ins in Largs during recent weekends.

During the monthly Largs Community Council meeting, last week's 'News' story about a man who was stabbed in the ear on Moorburn Road was highlighted, while another man received facial injuries in a takeaway shop in Largs one evening.

At the meeting at Largs Library, Community councillor Patricia Perman said: "Last weekend (16-17 July), I was made aware of four attacks happening in the town. There was one person who had facial injuries and required stitches at a local fish and chip takeaway shop."

Community councillor Margaret Wood voiced her disappointment that there was no police representation at the community council meeting in order to acquire more information.

Patricia Perman said: "Someone phoned me up the weekend of Largs Live music festival, as there were a couple of break-ins in Waterside Street. Do they put extra police on for events like Largs Live?"

Margaret Wood responded: "That was one of the things we brought up with the Inspector at our last meeting, and extra police were brought in for Largs Live. However, in recent weeks, there have been a lot of break-ins throughout the town."

Margaret added during recent weeks, she has struggled to gain information from the police, and had repeatedly gone to the Largs Police Station, but was unable to speak directly to police on a number of important matters. She was told that the Inspector was on annual leave, while the sergeant had been assigned to cover the Open Golf in Troon.

Community councillor Ian Murdoch said: "A question people ask me is where can you go with lost keys, phones etc. Where do you go? There were some kids with a lost dog the other day, and they phoned the police, and they recommended can they take it to Saltcoats."

One councillor pointed out that she had used the '101' number in the phone booth area outside the police station, and officers did arrive promptly.

Another councillor added: "Surely if there is an agreement that the police station is to be manned from 9am-5pm. there should be someone in at these times, as that is what was agreed."

Margaret Wood said: "There has been so much happening in the town during the last six weeks, and I have been trying to get answers from the police from people raising issues, but it hasn't happened."

Cllr. Wood stated that she would be arranging a meeting with the Inspector as soon as he returns in order to improve communications.

Ian pointed out that the police were looking at moving out of their premises to a new location in the town.