Concern at increase in level of street assaults

The number of victims of crime referred to Victim Support dropped by almost 20 per cent in the first half of this year. However, the organisation is "hugely concerned" at the "obvious increase" in personal attacks and assaults.

Its chief executive, Ms Lillian McGovern, called on the Government to treat the increase in violence as its priority. She also demanded a stronger Garda presence on the streets at all times.

Victim Support responded to 2,688 people in the first six months of this year, a drop of over 600 on the same period in 2001; 60 per cent of victims were female. Residential burglary and personal crime, including robbery and assault, each accounted for one-quarter of cases. The number of residential burglary cases dropped from 829 to 603 and "other burglaries" fell from 128 to 83. There were similar falls in the category of domestic violence (138 cases to 93) and theft from the person (296 cases to 252).

However, the number of murder and manslaughter cases dealt with grew from 60 to 87, and Victim Support helped 101 victims of robbery with violence.