Gardaí to target guns, drugs in 2008

Tackling gun crime, drugs and road offences are among the priorities for the Garda under a plan revealed today.

Under the Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2008, which sets out plans for the policing of the State in 2008 a new automated fingerprint identity system will be rolled out, a DNA database will be set up and anti-social behaviour will be targeted.

Gun crime, drugs and traffic offences will be the priorities for Gardai in 2008

Fifteen senior officers are to be deployed throughout Ireland to tackle serious crime, while the Second Tier Firearm Response Unit is to be established later this year.

A liaison from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit will be appointed to work with the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and gender-based Violence

The plan also includes proposals to realign Garda administrative boundaries with local authority boundaries. This means new divisions will be established in Meath and Wicklow.

Combating threats to national and international security is also a priority for gardaí in 2008 through taking part in international training programmes, developing a National Critical Infrastructure Security plan, and reviewing and updating emergency plans.

Gardaí are aiming to increase the detection of road traffic offences by 10 per cent, including drink driving, speeding and road transport offences. A crackdown on seat belt wearing is forecast to yield a 5 per cent increase in detection, and it is hoped the number of crashes that result in fatal or serious injury can be cut by 5 per cent.

Young drivers will be specifically targeted to help reduce collisions in the 17-36 year age group by 10 per cent. This will be supported by an increased traffic corps officers, who will number 1,200 in 2008.

There are also plans to strengthen links between gardai and communities through implenting policies relating to neighbourhood watch and community alert schemes, increasing Garda visibility and appointing seven new juvenile liaison officers.