merrion street

More than a third less burglaries in the first three months of this year

Speaking today on the publication of the CSO Recorded Crime Statistics for the first quarter of 2016 the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., paid tribute to the success of the Garda strategy to tackle burglary and other property crimes.

Since the launch of Garda Operation Thor in November last year there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of burglaries. The latest statistics from the CSO show an 18.4% drop for the twelve months to the 31 March.

The Tánaiste said “The new CSO figures also show that in the first three months of 2016 there were 36.47% less burglaries than in the first three months of 2015. There have been huge achievements made by the Gardaí under Operation Thor, including the provision of increased protection for householders throughout the country".

Significantly, the decrease in burglary is accompanied by reductions in other property crimes and the CSO figures show very welcome decreases of 7% for theft and 6.7% for robbery.

The Tánaiste underlined the Government’s commitment to supporting the Garda crackdown on criminals saying “I want to assure people that there will be no let-up in the pressure which the Gardaí are bringing to bear on the organised gangs engaged in burglary. We are determined to protect communities in rural and urban areas who have been the victims of mobile criminal gangs”.

The Tánaiste went on to emphasise that the recently announced package of additional resources for Garda operations in 2016 includes provision for the ongoing implementation of Operation Thor throughout the country. An additional €55 million has been provided, doubling the overtime available for this intensive policing and crime prevention activity.

However, the Minister did voice concern about some other crime trends detailed in the new CSO release, including an increase of 8.2% in sexual offences, and 6.9% in assault offences. She noted the steps being taken to give effect to the EU Victims Directive, which came into effect from 16 November 2015, including the Garda Victims Services Office which have been established across the country and will inform victims as their case progresses through the justice system. Confronting these offences, and other types of offending, will be aided by the Garda recruitment programme which is underway, and the Government’s intention to increase the overall number of Gardaí to 15,000.

The Tánaiste also emphasised the exceptional measures which the Government is taking to disrupt criminal networks and protect communities affected by violent crime. “We have allocated huge additional resources to the Gardaí and are pressing ahead with a series of new legislative provisions which will tackle organised crime and the profits made by gangs from drug dealing and other serious crimes.”