Cork city bucks national trend as crime figures decrease
The most up-to-date figures, which were released yesterday by Chief Superintendent Michael Finn, show there were 21 robberies from premises so far this year, down from 34 (-38%) on the comparative period for 2008. There were 82 robberies from the person, down from 116 (-29%).
Aggravated burglaries stand at 11 so far, down from 20 (-45%).
Chief Supt Finn said that burglaries throughout the country were on the increase, “so it’s gratifying that we’re bucking the trend”.
Thefts from vehicles are down 9% to 705, thefts of bicycles down 12% to 173 and arrests for handling or possession of stolen property are also down by 22% to 65.
However, thefts from shops have increased by 5% from 1,528 to 1,607.
Supt Barry McPolin, who is in charge of policing in the city centre, said extra gardaí would be deployed, many of them in plainclothes, to tackle shoplifting in the run-up to Christmas.
The chief superintendent also disclosed that public orderoffences, such as street fighting, were down by 10% from 2,971 to 2,673.
Criminal damage is also down from 2,426 to 2,181, a decrease of 11%.
Assault causing harm is down 9%, from 241 to 219.
However, arson is up by 12% to 268 incidents. Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating a number of cases where they believe cars were deliberately burnt for insurance purposes.
The number of arrests for drunkenness is also up from 614 to 715, an increase of 16%.
Chief Supt Finn explained that gardaí had less serious publicorder incidents to deal with and had been able to turn theirattention to people who were simply drunk and a danger to themselves or others.
The number of juvenile offenders dealt with by the gardaí so far this year was also down.
A total of 535 juveniles have received an informal caution this year, compared with 892 in the comparative period in 2008.
Formal cautions for juveniles in 2008 were 242, but just 130 were issued this year.
Drink-driving arrests also fell significantly by29% this year with 589 drivers arrested.
There were 827 arrests last year. To date, there have been two fatal accidents in the city, down from five in 2008.
The Joint Policing Committee also heard city manager Joe Gavin say that the council was in the process of closing 10 laneways across the city because of antisocial behaviour. He added that there continues to be significant vandalism to public lighting, which is expensive to repair. He urged the public to notify gardaí if they see such vandalism taking place.
Cllr Chris O’Leary wanted bonfires banned. He said it was illegal to burn waste on anyother day of the year, so why not on bonfire night?
Mr Gavin said the city council’s Special Purposes Committee (SPC) would soon made a decision on future bonfires, which may include banning them altogether on public land.
