Recession crimes rise but overall offences drop

HOMICIDES, assaults, driving offences, kidnappings and drug offences all dropped in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the same period last year.

Figures for recorded crimes from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) also show a reduction in robberies and weapons offences.

But there has been a sharp rise in crimes traditionally linked to recessions: burglaries, theft and fraud offences.