The Central Statistics Office today published the recorded crime statistics
for the first quarter of 2011. Speaking on publication, the Minister for
Justice and Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD, welcomed the decrease
in ten of the 14 crime groups for which figures are given, compared with
the same quarter in 2010.
Minister Shatter said: "These figures show the results of Garda strategies
and actions to combat crime. They also reflect the challenges which An
Garda Síochána and our society face in the time ahead. The task now is to
ensure that the resources which are available - and which are still
significant - continue to be used as creatively and effectively as
possible." In this context the Minister is anxious that as much progress as
is possible be made to implement the recommendations made by the Garda
Inspectorate in its report on resource allocation, published in January,
2010.
The figures show significant decreases in the number of homicide offences
in the quarter (down 29.6%) and on an annualised basis (down 13.3%). Of
particular note is that there was less than half of the number of cases of
dangerous driving leading to death in the quarter, compared to the same
quarter in 2010. The Minister remains concerned at the level of homicides
and attempted homicides resulting from the activities of drug gangs and has
discussed this issue with the Garda Commissioner. He wishes to acknowledge
the action being taken by An Garda Síochána to address the scourge of the
drug gangs.
The figures for property related crime (broadly speaking robbery, burglary
and theft) show a mixed picture. While the number of cases of robbery,
extortion and hijacking offences decreased by 3.2% in the quarter, the
number of cases of burglary and related offences and theft and related
offences increased by 8.5% and 5.3% respectively. The Minister said that
he was well aware of the misery which burglaries can cause for people and
has been assured that Garda management is constantly reviewing strategies
to tackle this offence. He believes that the commitment contained in the
Programme for Government to increase community policing is of particular
importance as an active deterrent in such crimes.
While the number of controlled drug offences was down 12.3% quarter on
quarter, there were significant increases of 53.8% and 22.2% in the quarter
in the numbers of detected cases of cultivation or manufacture of drugs and
importation of drugs respectively. The Minister said: “I welcome these
detections, which demonstrate the continuing focus of Garda operations on
tackling the suppliers of illegal drugs, both those producing drugs
domestically in so-called “grow houses” and those attempting to import
them. I am confident that the Garda Commissioner and the Force will
continue their efforts against suppliers in particular.”
The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments which are
aimed at helping in bringing to justice those responsible for committing
crime. A DNA database will be established to assist An Garda Síochána in
the investigation of serious crimes. The Minister will also introduce
legislation to strengthen the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in
relation to forfeiting the proceeds of crime, including drug traffickers
and dealers. Gardaí will be freed up for front line policing by ensuring
that administrative duties are carried out by civilian staff and by
reforming case management systems ensuring that Gardaí are not
unnecessarily detained in the courts.
Minister Shatter said: “As well as taking forward as quickly as possible
the specific commitments in the justice area in the Programme for
Government, I intend to build on the work which has been under way for some
time on the preparation of a White Paper on Crime. My ultimate objective
is to provide a comprehensive framework for future crime policy, in the
form of a National Anti-Crime Strategy. I want to make sure that we, as a
community, are best placed to deal with the problem of crime in all its
manifestations - not just the challenges we face now, but those likely to
emerge in the coming years. And in drawing up that Strategy, the White
Paper process will mean that we will be able to take measures which are
based on a rigorous analysis of what works and take on board a range of
ideas from community, expert and voluntary interests”.
The CSO has also published the Garda recorded crime statistics for the
years 2005 – 2009.
The crime statistics are available on the CSO website www.cso.ie.