POLICE investigating a spate of housebreakings have increased the numbers of officers on patrol and have called on the force helicopter to help track down suspects.

The crackdown in Edinburgh has so far seen 18 people facing a total of 50 charges following the wave of break-ins and car thefts.

However one local councillor in an area which has seen many break-ins, claimed changes in local policing under the single national force has hampered efforts.

But a senior Police Scotland officer insisted housebreaking is "a top priority for the division and we continue to address this issue through a number of initiatives"

Three police operations are currently underway in and around Edinburgh, foot and mobile patrols have been increased and the Police Scotland helicopter has been regularly deployed to deter and detect housebreakers, say police

Officers have also held security seminars and offered advice through social media, in an attempt to prevent more crimes which have seen tens of thousands of pounds worth of property stolen in around six months.

But Paul Edie, councillor for Corstorphine and Murrayfield, said he was convinced the disbanding of previous dedicated anti-housebreaking teams - now running again - meant a loss of local knowledge.

He said: "Police Scotland broke up the hugely successful anti-housebreaking teams two years ago.

"While I welcome the reintroduction of these teams last year I understand that a lot of local knowledge was lost about break-ins and thefts.

"It will take quite some time to rebuild that bank of knowledge. In the meantime my constituents are still suffering from that dreadful decision."

As well as Operation RAC, officers connected to the separate Operations Peleton, Greenbay and Quarterlight are also involved in the current push in and around the Scottish capital.

Superintendent Matt Richards said: "Edinburgh Division of Police Scotland has successfully investigated and solved housebreakings throughout its two year existence.

"Community Investigation Units have prioritised housebreaking, and recently they have been joined by the Operation RAC teams concentrating on break-ins as well as car crimes, which are often linked.

"Importantly, many of those investigating housebreakings were officers and staff who did so when the city was policed by Lothian and Borders.

"In addition we can now call on national resources - such as the Air Support Unit - to provide additional support when dealing with local crimes - and we do so regularly and to great effect."

He continued: "Over the last two weeks we have increased the numbers of local officers, as well as adding staff from national teams, to catch offenders.

"As a result this fortnight has seen 18 arrests for housebreaking and related autocrime and these have allowed us to submit over 50 charges to the Fiscal.

"Criminals are being caught using conventional policing methods, but we are getting substantial results from CCTV, fingerprint and DNA technologies."

He added: "I expect these successes to continue and support Operation RAC's ultimate aim - a reduction in these crimes."

Many of the break-ins take place while families are on holiday and another feature of the ongoing trend is that houses are being broken into and cars are being stolen using the keys found in the house.

A police source said: "It would not appear these types of cars are being stolen to order and/or being sold out with the area.

"We have traced a significant number of the cars abandoned in different parts of the city having been used in the commission of further crimes.

There is a sergeant and four officers from Operation Quarterlight, a vehicle crime initiative, involved and Operation Peleton, targeting housebreaking in the West and Pentlands area, is ongoing with six officers a day conducting foot and mobile patrols both in uniform and plain clothes in areas where crimes are being committed with a view to deterring, detecting and tracing those responsible.

"This initiative has effectively led to the detection of several persons over recent weeks," the source added.