Two Cork divisions see spike in burglary incidents

Two of the three Garda divisions in Cork recorded some of the highest increases in burglary rates in the past year. 

The latest official figures on recorded crime show burglaries in the Cork North division are up 36% in the 12 months to September 2015 — six times the national average.

A total of 480 break-ins to property were notified to gardaí over the year in the division which covers towns including Mallow, Fermoy, Cobh, Midleton and Youghal — an annual increase of 127 burglary offences. Only the Dublin Eastern division had a higher rate of increase at 42%.

In Cork City there was also a surge in burglaries in the past year with levels up more than 17% the fourth highest increase among the 28 Garda divisions.

A total of 862 burglaries, more than two per day, were recorded across the city’s 15 Garda stations in the year to the end of September — an extra 128 over the previous 12month period.

Other areas which experienced a sharp rise in burglaries over the last 12 months include Kildare (up 24%) and Dublin South and Cavan/ Monaghan (both up 15%).

The number of reported burglaries nationally were up 6.2% on average with rises in 17 divisions. By contrast, the Cork West division, which already has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, saw burglary rates drop by 21%.

The division, which includes the towns of Macroom, Kinsale, Bantry and Bandon, had just 194 burglaries recorded in the past year — a reduction of 51 on the corresponding period last year.

Only Westmeath witnessed a greater percentage reduction in its level of burglaries — down 34%. Other Garda divisions to buck the national trend and see a drop in the number of burglaries were Donegal (down 18%), Tipperary (down 13%) and Galway (down 12%).

Dublin retains its record as the country’s top blackspot for burglaries with a daily average of 35 break-ins reported to gardaí over the period. Almost 12,700 burglaries were reported in the capital in the past year, representing an annual increase of 11%.

In Dublin, which has the highest burglary rate in the Republic, there was a daily average of 35 break-ins reported with almost 12,700 offences, representing an annual increase of 11%.

The Central Statistics Office continues to urge caution about the official figures recorded on Pulse, the Garda computer system, after a critical report by the Garda Inspectorate last year on how crimes were logged and classified.

A review by the CSO found an estimated 20% of reported crime was not recorded on Pulse while detection rates were overstated by 16%.

Commenting on the figures, Fianna Fáil justice spokesperson Niall Collins called on the Government to adopt a tougher approach to tackling crime, particularly burglaries.

He claimed there had been “a startling increase” in the number of burglaries over the past year, with staggering rises in some parts.

“Communities across the country are living in fear. Most have already been the target of these crimes, some have fallen victim on more than one occasion,” said Mr Collins.

The Limerick TD said it was no surprise that many of the affected areas had seen a drop in Garda numbers over recent years, adding that the promise of “smart policing” was ringing hollow in many communities.