Gardaí alert on personal safety ahead of bank holiday festivities

Gardaí are encouraging the public to be mindful of their personal safety and prevent thefts, robberies and assaults ahead of the June bank holiday weekend.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan will launch the supporting safer communities campaign on Thursday.

The drive aims to raise awareness of how people can prevent incidents potentially linked with the nocturnal economy, such as assaults, thefts and robberies.

Gardaí are emphasising the importance of people planning their night out ahead of the weekend.

Using the acronym Plans, the aim of the campaign is to educate the public on how to enhance their personal security.

A Garda spokesman said planning journeys to and from night time destinations in advance will lessen potential exposure to assault, theft and robbery.

According to the latest Garda statistics, assaults, thefts and robberies are more likely to occur on weekend nights between 8pm and 5am.

Phone theft

The statistics also found 60 per cent of robberies involve theft of a mobile phone.

However, gardaí said just one in three people who reported their mobile phone stolen had their International Mobile Equipment Identity number (IMEI) recorded.

To access and record the IMEI number dial *#06# on the keypad. A 15-digit number will appear on your screen.

Gardaí advise that people take a screen shot of this number (this usually involves holding the power button and home button simultaneously, handsets may vary) and to email the picture to yourself, giving a permanent record of the number.

The aim of the campaign is to educate the public on how to enhance their personal security.

Gardaí are encouraging people to ask themselves: “What are your Plans for tonight?”

P – Plan your night out, how are you getting there and back.

L – Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

A – Avoid walking alone and in dark places.

N – Never attempt to reason with drunk or aggressive people.

S – Streetwise, be wary of your surroundings and mind your valuables.

“We want people to enjoy themselves when out and taking a few easy steps can greatly reduce the chances of their day or night being ruined. Working together, we can reduce the opportunities available to criminals,” said Sgt Alan Roughneen of the National Crime Prevention Unit.