DETECTIVES have arrested and charged three more men with a range housebreaking offences in Edinburgh as part of a response to a wave of robberies.
Police Scotland said since Operation RAC re-launched in the Scottish in April this year officers have solved a total of 200 housebreaking offences at business and residential properties across the city.
In addition, 80 individuals have been charged with a total of 300 break-ins and attempted break-ins, while 50 people have also been charged with motor vehicle thefts linked to housebreaking.
Following six weeks of enforcement activity, the number of recorded housebreakings has fallen from just over 70 per week, to 50 per week.
Detection rates for crimes of this nature has risen to 30 per cent, having previously been at around five per cent prior to the re-launch of Operation RAC.
Superintendent Matt Richards said: "We recognise the devastating impact housebreaking has on victims and Edinburgh's communities have continually highlighted this issue as a policing priority.
"To reflect our commitment to tackling housebreaking and associated offences, we re-launched Operation RAC and over the past six weeks we have arrested several individuals for hundreds of crimes that have taken place across the Capital.
"Operation RAC will continue to identify those responsible for housebreaking and acquisitive crime and in addition to proactive enforcement activity, officers regularly engage with the public to offer a range of crime prevention advice."
In the latest arrests, a number of incidents were linked and a 28-year-old man over raids carried out on a property in Cobden Terrace in the city when various personal belongings were stolen.
A 16-year-old male was charged with six break-ins and thefts from addresses in Cramond Crescent, Craigcrook Square, Woodfield Avenue, Craigleith Crescent and Craigmount Place.
Police Scotland also said Operation RAC officers were also been investigating a housebreaking, which occurred at a flat in Parkhead Street on April, 16 where the occupant disturbed a male inside the property.
Police said after various lines of enquiry a 44-year-old man has now been charged in connection with this incident and has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
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