Published: Tuesday, 16th February, 2010 8:38am

Police in Galashiels record a drop in shoplifting

by Ally McGilvray

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CRIME in Galashiels has fallen over the past month, according to police.

Operation Grotto, a crackdown on shoplifting over the festive period, recorded a 28 per cent drop in shoplifting.

At a meeting of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council last week, local PC Jim Watters said: "It has actually been really quiet, possibly because of the bad weather."

And he added: "A couple of the prolific shoplifters were given custodial sentences and what we tend to find is it is a small minority who carry out the large majority of the crime."

Police confirmed enquiries were continuing following a break-in at St Paul's Church in Galashiels. Thieves broke into the building and made off with a projector worth about £2000 and damaged some furniture.

PC Watters revealed a man was detained in connection with the raid but there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

And he joked: "The only other main offence over the past couple of months is Easter Eggs are on sale in Tesco - already."