I read with some concern that a series of assaults were reported across North Ayrshire within the past month.

This has followed an unfortunate trend in the region, with Police Scotland having recently submitted a report to North Ayrshire Council recording a 13.7 per cent increase in violent crime across a five-year average.

Providing a visible police presence and fast response times are essential in reducing the rate and severity of violent crimes. The ability for our brave community police officers to provide this kind of service have unfortunately been made more difficult in the wake of recent Scottish Government budgeting decisions.

The end of 2023 saw a cumulative four per cent cut for Police Scotland’s Ayrshire division since 2020, which means tough choices will need to be taken by local police.

Throughout my time in the Scottish Parliament, including having previously sat on the criminal justice committee and as shadow justice minister, I have taken the opportunity to speak with many victims of all manners of crime.

They have told me that incidents which many may see as small altercations can still inflict immense psychological and emotional trauma to both the victims themselves and their families.

Politicians should always consider the impact policy changes and funding reductions will have on the victims of crime first and foremost.

I very much hope that MSPs from all benches will support my calls to properly fund our police and back my Victim’s Law, once introduced, which will help support victims throughout the criminal justice process.

On the local economy – like many people in our communities we are concerned about the loss of small local businesses. Folk recently gathered at the Clark Memorial Church to discuss the future of the Largs high street, for example.

Our high streets have seen a wipe-out of local businesses in recent years. The most recent, and probably most shocking of these closures was when the Opticare optician’s practice in Largs suddenly closed its doors near the end of February. What was once a thriving 28-year-old business is now just another empty premises which may take some time to fill again.

I remain extremely disappointed that the Scottish Government continues to refuse to pass on the UK Government’s 75 per cent rates relief for small businesses despite this having been funded by the UK Government to the tune of around £230 million. Passing this rates relief on would be the help our high streets have been crying out for.

This situation is unfortunately not unique to Largs. I have previously spoken about how the continual difficulties in ferry travel to Arran affects the island, but also problems with ferry traffic in Ardrossan impacts small local businesses there too.

I urge the Scottish Government to do what it can to ensure Scotland’s high streets nurture an environment which supports and attracts small businesses. They are after all the beating heart of our economy.