Largs businesses are calling for more CCTV surveillance in streets near the town centre after repeated break-in attempts over recent days.
Both Superdrug and Halliday's Pharmacy were targeted overnight between Sunday and Monday, and in the early hours of last Tuesday morning a window was smashed and entry was gained to Oaks Vets in Lade Street.
David Boyle of Halliday's Pharmacy, pictured below, agreed and said: "I definitely think CCTV would be a good idea for Aitken Street - something needs to be done.
"We were open for business on Monday morning as per usual.
"They smashed the window pane in the door and someone who lives nearby was woken up by it and basically they looked out the window and clocked them and they did a runner when they realised they were being watched.
The window was smashed and glass was everywhere but there was no other damage, and we are open for business as normal.
"They also attempted to get into Superdrug but their window didn't break.
"That is now several busnesses in the town that have been targeted and it is not good at the moment.
"Police are starting their enquiries and fingers crossed they will find somebody."
Concerned local butcher Scott Paton believes it is time to put the CCTV spotlight in Aitken Street and surrounding back streets.
He said: "We definitely need more CCTV.
"It is a deterrent and we need it for the areas off the Main Street.
"It is terrible to see all these attempted break-ins - there is CCTV on the Main Street and the seafront.
"Even if there was CCTV at the former M&Co building looking up Aitken Street it would be a help.
"It is worrying these incidents have happened - and hopefully the police have enough information to go on to catch the cuplrits involved."
Last Monday evening, Oaks vets were broken into on Lade Street with a window broken and substantial damage.
Referring to that incident, Sgt Mark Semple, North Ayrshire Locality Policing, said: "Around 1250am on Tuesday, May 9, we received a report of a break-in at premises in Lade Street, Largs. Our enquiries are continuing into this incident and any one with information should speak to local officers or contact 101 with reference number 0116 of May 9."
And in reference to Superdrug and Halldays, he said: “Around 1.15am on Monday, May 15, 2023, we received a report of an attempted break-in to a shop premises in Aitken Street, Largs. Enquiries are ongoing.”
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