Figures reveal more than 7500 accusations were levelled at over-65s – a 25% increase in five years.

Some areas have seen thefts committed by pensioners more than double over that period. Crimes involving drugs and weapons have also soared.

In total 7531 were charged with offences in the past 12 months – an increase from 6030 in 2007/08.

Strathclyde saw the number of over-65s charged with offences rising from 4018 in 2007/08 to 5443 in 2011/12. Crimes of dishonesty doubled from 90 to 181, while drugs and weapons offences rose from 43 in 2007/08 to 65 last year.

Assaults by pensioners in Central Scotland rose from 15 to 39 over the past five years, while thefts saw a 50% increase, from 19 to 30.

In Tayside last year, 30 pensioners were charged with shoplifting. Two were accused of attempted murder, while 22 were charged with petty assault.

In Fife, three OAPs were accused of supplying drugs, while three were charged with vandalism and one with "malicious mischief".

Lothian and Borders saw pensioner crime rise from 377 charges in 2007/08 to 454 last year. Grampian Police figures showed 658 charged last year, compared to 649 in 2007/08. Northern Constabulary saw a drop in pensioner crime from 774 in 2007 to 570 last year.

Dumfries and Galloway Police did not respond to a request for information.