Fall in most categories of recorded crime

Crime rates fell in most categories in the year up to the end of June, although increases were recorded in relation to thefts, robbery and aggravated burglary.

The largest increase in recorded crime was in relation to theft from the person, instances of which increased 33.4 per cent to 5,729 up to the end of June. Theft from shops rose 1 per cent to 20,178 in the same period.

There were 26,211 recorded burglary offences in the 12 months covered by the statistics, a decrease of 8.9 per cent.

However, cases of aggravated burglary, the subset of burglaries that involve trespass on to residences and which involve violence or the threat of violence rose 3.2 per cent in the same period.

Assault
The statistics showed a decrease in recorded crime in most categories, with sexual offences, assault causing harm, kidnapping, fraud and drink driving offences all in decline.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan yesterday welcomed the statistics. He said the force’s Operation Fiacla had been highly successful in reducing burglaries in the last 18 months, with 6,000 people arrested and 3,500 brought before the courts.

“We’ve had a tremendous campaign over the last 18 months or so to try and deal with the prolific increase in burglaries that has been occurring for many, many years now.

“It’s no accident that since we started this campaign we’ve had almost 6,000 arrests and over 3,500 people brought before the courts. So that’s very significant and I’m very pleased to see that the increase in burglaries that had been here for the last couple of years is on the decline.”

“To date operations such as this have contributed to a reduction of 10 per cent in burglaries and I am committed to maintaining this emphasis,” he said.

Stabbings
Speaking about the recent spate of stabbings, Mr Callinan said his first thoughts and prayers were with families of the bereaved for the shocking and appalling crimes.

Regarding knives, he said it was vital to get society-wide responsibility for their use.

“It would be an impossible situation to ban knives and sharp objects, as we all know, so it’s a question of people being reasonable in how they conduct their business,” he said.

However, he said the new crime figures showed the number of assaults was down – recorded cases of assault causing harm fell 9.3 per cent in the year to June 2013 – and said the force would be working very hard with the community to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the community.

Mr Callinan appealed for public help in bringing those responsible to justice.

“The public’s help is vital in all of these areas and we can’t function 100 per cent without the public’s co-operation.”

The Central Statistics Office recorded crime statistics for quarter two of 2013 show homicide offences, a category that includes murder and manslaughter offences and dangerous driving leading to death, rose 1.5 per cent in the 12 months to the end of June compared with the previous 12-month period.

However, three fewer murders and manslaughters were recorded in that period compared with the previous year, while the number of cases of dangerous driving leading to death rose from 16 to 20.