Number of robberies, thefts and kidnappings rise in Cork

There was a sharp increase in the number of robberies across Cork’s three Garda divisions in 2013 at a time when the incidence of such crime was falling nationally.

Reported thefts across the county also rose at twice the national rate while there was also a notable increase in the number of kidnappings.

Official Garda figures on recorded crime show the number of robbery, extortion, and hijacking offences in Cork City and county jumped from 110 in 2012 to 149 in 2013 — an increase of 35%.