TOURIST victims of crime appear to have a much higher opinion of the efficiency of gardai than the public at large, according to a survey of visitors who have been helped by the Victim Support association.
The association, in its annual report, recorded a significant increase in the number of people, including tourists, being referred to it for assistance.
Details of the limited survey of tourists who were the victims of crime 75 respondents answered a questionnaire on victim support and Garda services were included in the report.
The survey found that 78 per cent of the tourists felt that the Garda response was good and that 29 per cent of these categorised the Garda response as very good or excellent.
This contrasts with broader surveys of the population, including one carried out on behalf of The Irish Times last month which found lower levels of public confidence in the force.
The MRBI poll for The Irish Times found that 67 per cent of respondents felt that the Garda response to crime had not improved in recent years.
The tourists who responded were overwhelming in their view that Dublin was still a worthwhile destination, and 88 per cent felt either very safe or were not particularly concerned about safety in Dublin. Some 72 per cent still felt very positive about their holiday despite being robbed.
The annual report of the Victim Support association shows it survives on an income of less than £200,000, which contrasts with the State's law and order budget of around £500 million.
The association budget is largely spent on a small central administration as its field workers are volunteers.
In her report for the year, the administrator, Ms Ann Meade, records a total of 4,702 referrals to the association during 1996, which represents an increase of 25 per cent on 1995.
She pointed out that there had been a steady annual increase since the association was set up 12 years ago.
Also during 1996 the association's Tourist Victim Support service recorded a 67 per cent increase in people attending its offices at the Dublin metropolitan area Garda headquarters in Harcourt Square.
A total of 772 tourists were referred to the offices compared with 442 in 1995. The Tourist Victim Support service was also extended to Cork, Carlow, Laois and Castlebar during 1996.