Businesses employing a shared security guard could help reduce shoplifting incidents in Tranent, says one of the town’s ward councillors.

At a meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, the latest crime figures for the area were discussed.

They showed that, between January 16 and February 19, 14 shopliftings were recorded in the area.

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies suggested that High Street shops employing a shared security guard could help deter potential thieves.

She said: “Many independent shops can’t afford to hire a security guard full-time but, if a group of shops come together and hire one that can patrol the area, then that could be a potential deterrent. That could be enough to make those thinking of shoplifting think twice.”

The suggestion followed discussions about a possible business association being launched in Tranent.

READ MORE: Meeting to be held in bid to launch business association in Tranent

Ms Menzies suggested that bringing businesses together to discuss hiring a security guard could be productive.

The police report also found that, during the same timeframe, 347 calls to police were made from the Tranent and Elphinstone area, resulting in 73 crimes being recorded.

Five crimes under the protecting the most vulnerable bracket were recorded, including four ‘miscellaneous’ crimes.

Twenty-four crimes of violence or anti-social behaviour were recorded, including six assaults, seven incidents of vandalism and one assault and robbery.

There were 28 crimes of dishonesty, including the 14 shopliftings, three incidents of fraud and one of wasting police time.

Ten road offences were recorded, including two for failing to stop for police, one for drink-driving and one for failing to wear a crash helmet.

Three drug offences were also recorded.