Cork bucks trend with serious crime hike

CANNABIS cultivation, sexual assaults and petty theft rose significantly across Cork last year, bucking a trend which saw a major fall-off in most crime across the county.

Figures released by senior gardaí at the joint policing committee meeting yesterday show that despite a drop in most aspects of crime, communities in Cork are continuing to face the threat of serious crime.

According to annual statistics for the Cork west, city and north garda divisions, cultivation of cannabis is becoming a growing issue in the county.