Almost £3,000 of clothing 'stolen' from store in Oban

Almost £3,000 worth of clothing was allegedly stolen from a store in Oban, police have reported.

Officers have also reported a decrease in the number of housebreakings taking place in Oban Lorn and the Isles and Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.

However, fraud and counterfeit currency remain high on the agenda, with social media presence increasing to keep residents vigilant.

A report from officers will be presented at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles community planning group on Wednesday, February 11.

It was also part of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands community planning group meeting on Wednesday, February 4.

The police’s report said: “So far this year (April 2025 to January 2026) there have been ten housebreakings in our area, which is six fewer than this time last year.

“Our figures have been particularly impacted by a series of break-ins at commercial premises in Oban between September and November 2025. A 29-year-old man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal connected with six offences.

“Meanwhile, thefts this year, which include offences such as shoplifting, currently total 60, with persons charged in relation to 38 of those incidents.

“One theft in particular was notable in that clothing worth almost £3,000 was taken from a high-street store in Oban. A 41-year-old man has been charged.

“Detection rates for the period August 2025 to January 2026 sit at 43% which is an increase of 2% from the previous report.

“At present there are 51 fewer reported crimes from the 24/25 period and there are five more detections up to 116 from 111.”

The report added: “Frauds continue to be the main financial loss for our residents, which is a trend consistent with the whole of our policing division (encompassing Argyll and Bute as well as West Dunbartonshire Councils).

“Some of these frauds are into the tens of thousands of pounds. In direct response to these being reported, our partnerships team continually put out advice on our social media platforms regarding keeping people safe online.

“Recently there has been one report of counterfeit currency within Argyll and Bute, which is replicated in the increase of reporting through the whole of the west command of Police Scotland. We have increased our social media output to make people aware of the heightened risk.”