Rural crime progress claimed by gardaí
There has been a reduction of 9% in the value of objects stolen from farms in the past year, and animal theft has decreased by 3%, according to Pat Leahy, An Garda Síochána assistant commissioner in the Dublin metropolitan region, with responsibility for community engagement and public safety.
He told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality that there has been a reduction of 5% in the number of tools being stolen, and the number of incidents in which farming equipment was stolen decreased by 18%.
There was a 39% reduction in the value of the farming equipment stolen.
The number of vehicles being stolen from farms has decreased by 13% in the past 12 months, said Mr Leahy, who added that Operation Thor has had a significant effect, since its introduction in November, 2015.
This new approach was designed to prevent and detect burglaries, using analysis of crime trends and intelligence to target criminal gangs and repeat offenders.
Mr Leahy said it has denied criminal gangs the use of the motorway network, and has increased patrolling in areas worst affected by burglaries.
More than 8,300 arrests have been made, more than 9,500 charges have been preferred, 34,000 searches and 203,771 patrols have been undertaken, and 143,231 checkpoints have been mounted, according to the Assistant Commissioner.
Heavily publicised crime prevention advice such as “Lock Up and Light Up” is included in Operation Thor.
“All of this activity has seen residential burglaries reduce by 34% and non-residential burglaries down 23% since November 2015,” said Mr Leahy.
“This year, up to the end of August, residential burglaries are down 17% on the same period last year.
However, we will not be complacent, particularly when we are coming to the time of the year when burglaries traditionally increase due to the longer winter nights.”
“We advise members of the farming community to restrict access to their yards, lock gates when not in use and ensure their property is well lit, as more farm thefts occur at night than during the day.
“Farmers should also ensure that machinery, tools and vehicles are secured properly, and details such as serial numbers and property markings are recorded and photographed.”
Mr Leahy revealed: “I do not want people in rural communities to think they are more exposed than others to crime.
“The facts are very different. One is far more likely to be the subject of a burglary in an urban setting than in a rural setting.
“The rate of burglary in Dublin is approximately 11.6 per 100,000 households.
“That figure is between 3.9 and 8.5 in more rural areas.”
