merrion street

Minister Shatter today applauded the Garda Commissioner and members of the Garda Síochána for the proactive and targeted approach being taken to reduce burglary levels.

Faced with an increase in burglary towards the end of 2011 and into 2012, the Commissioner put in place Operation Fiacla to confront this problem head-on. Operation Fiacla is intelligence led and relies on detailed analysis, carried out by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, of crime trends and other relevant data to ensure that the best use is being made of Garda resources.

Specific burglary related initiatives are being implemented in each Garda Region in support of Operation Fiacla. Its success and the success of the overall operation is clear. According to most recent figures, 4,226 persons have been arrested and 2,327 charged as at the end of February.

Furthermore, Garda Authorities have informed Minister Shatter that Operation Acer, which forms part of Operation Fiacla in the Dublin Region, is having a positive impact on burglary rates in the Dublin area, with a reduction of burglaries by more than 10% since the operation’s introduction.

Speaking today, Minister Shatter said "I would like to congratulate the Garda Commissioner and members of the Garda Síochána for the proactive and targeted approach being taken to reduce burglary levels. The success the Gardaí are having, as is clear from the figures, is undoubtedly evidence that 'smart policing' is very real and very effective. Operation Fiacla makes use of a combination of intelligence methods to identify prolific offenders and gangs involved in burglary, together with analysis of locations and times of burglaries, to anticipate and disrupt those involved in burglary. Contrary to some recent commentary, the impact of Operation Fiacla, Operation Acer and all of the other supporting regional operations, illustrates the point that freeing up Gardaí from desk jobs does in fact deliver more effective policing services for the public. What really matters are results, not maintaining the status quo just for the sake of it, and under the Commissioner's management, those results are being delivered."