A FURTHER £600 worth of goods, including alcohol, has been stolen from a Helensburgh supermarket, a new report has revealed – as the store’s owners prepare to ask licensing chiefs for more space to sell booze.

The Argyll and Bute licensing board heard on Tuesday, September 3 that thousands of pounds worth of booze had been taken from the Waitrose store on Cardross Road since 2017.

And a police report for the board’s next meeting has revealed that two weeks after that, on Tuesday, September 17, £383 of vodka and whisky went missing.

Then, just six days later, on Monday, September 23, £273 worth of items went missing late in the afternoon.

CCTV which identified a suspect was not reviewed until two days later, according to the police report, but the store claims that somebody has now been charged for the two incidents.

READ MORE: Police slam Waitrose as booze worth thousands is stolen from Helensburgh store

The supermarket asked the board earlier this year for permission to add a further 10 square metres to the store’s alcohol section, and to install a ‘wine tower’ in the area.

After hearing police concerns over the store’s security measures at September’s meeting, the board’s members agreed to continue consideration of the application until their next meeting – due to be held on Tuesday, November 12 – to allow a Waitrose representative to attend.

But ahead of that meeting, a senior police officer has disclosed details of two further significant alcohol thefts from the store.

In a letter to the board dated November 6, Police Scotland’s divisional commander, Chief Superintendent John Paterson, said the first incident occurred between 1.30pm and 2pm and saw a total of 20 different measures of whisky and vodka stolen.

Mr Paterson said: “A male entered the premises, removed items and left without being challenged.

“The male attempted to sell the alcohol to members of the public who thereafter informed staff.

“To date no-one has been detected and no alcohol has been found.”

READ MORE: Man charged with £1,000 theft from Waitrose in Helensburgh

Describing the second incident, he said: “Around 5.05pm on Monday, September 23 a male entered the premises, lifted items and left without making payment.

“On the morning of Wednesday, September 25, the deputy branch manager was reviewing CCTV in relation to a separate incident when they observed the theft by shoplifting.

“Alcohol was not recovered.”

The board, which is chaired by Helensburgh and Lomond South councillor David Kinniburgh and includes fellow Helensburgh and Lomond councillors Richard Trail and Lorna Douglas, has also been told of a visit by officers to the store.

Commander Paterson said: “A crime prevention survey was carried out on September 18, 2018 and provided to the premises.

“Licensing department staff attended the premises on September 12, 2019 and were provided with the following update on recommendations made.

“Waitrose now has self-checkout [SCO] staff trained in loss management. SCO staff make eye contact with their customers and engage with anyone who appears suspicious in their behaviour.

READ MORE: Police called to report of 'pupil disorder' at Helensburgh's Waitrose store

“A member of staff works within the wine section from 10am to 7pm, and lunch breaks are covered by another member of staff.

“Management and staff are directed to walk around the store taking particular route around the alcohol section.

“Tags are being placed on items valued over £20 and under if common product that is stolen, although [there is] no alarm fitted – deterrent only.”

Mr Paterson’s report also described how a mirror has been installed to provide better coverage due to a blindspot identified in the alcohol area, and outside lightbulbs have been replaced to assist CCTV.

A spokesperson for Waitrose said: “We still plan to install another security camera as an additional deterrent.

“However the measures put in place since last year’s crime prevention survey have to led to a decline in thefts and meant the police were able to charge an individual for the two incidents that took place in September.”

READ MORE: Check out all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines here