90% of Dublin crime growth in four areas

Four areas of Dublin have accounted for almost 90 per cent of the growth in crimes in the capital since 2000 according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Blanchardstown, Coolock, Tallaght and Santry combined accounted for 87 per cent of the growth in headline crimes carried out from 2000 to 2007.

The figures indicate that levels of crime rose 112 per cent in Blanchardstown since 2007 while Coolock recorded a 65 per cent. Crime levels grew 45 per cent in Tallght and Santry respectively.

Since 2000, there has been an 18 per cent increase in the numbers of gardaí deployed in Dublin. However, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Tallaght and Santry received less than 30 per cent of the extra manpower available.

Although the majority of crimes were committed in the four districts, detection rates were found to be low with over 80 per cent of crimes remaining unsolved, according to Fine Gael. The party received the new figures through a series of parliamentary questions.

Fine Gael has called for a re-evaluation of policing methods in Dublin following the release of the figures, saying that the allocation of manpower in the capital is out of step with crime trends.

"We now need a more informed debate about the effectiveness of garda deployment and policing methods in our city. In the past seven years almost 650 extra gardaí have been deployed in Dublin. This was an 18 per cent increase in manpower, more than twice the rate of increase of population. However, crime levels and crime rates still increased," said Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton.

"There is no doubt that the age profile of neighbourhoods has a huge bearing on the probability of high crime rates. Rapidly growing outer suburbs present the gardaí with a very significant challenge but we should be able to do much better," he added.