Big rise in kidnapping, hijacking and robbery - but fall in murder and manslaughter

There was a significant increase in the level of kidnappings, robberies, andburglaries, and extortion and hijacking in the five years to the end of 2012, an official review of Garda figures has revealed.

While reported murders and manslaughters were down 11% over the period and attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments, and related offences were down by 18%, other types of crime spiked.

Analysis of the Garda intelligence system Pulse revealed that the number ofdrug offences was down 30% while the amount of offences related to dangerous weapons and explosives fell by 30%.