Four times more burglaries in affluent southside areas

Householders and businesses are nearly four times more likely to be burgled on the affluent south side of Cork City than in parts of West Cork.

This is according to figures released by senior gardaí, who say that, between the start of this year and the end of April, there were 453 burglaries reported in the city and county. The breakdown shows that there were 235 in the four districts of the Cork City Garda Division, while there were a further 218 in the rest of the county.

The Togher Garda District tops the list with 75, which is nearly four times as many as reported in Clonakilty.

Chief Superintendent Michael Finn told a meeting of the Cork County Joint Policing Committee yesterday that areas within the Togher Garda District such as the predominantly middle-class Carrigaline, Bishopstown, and Crosshaven were the most likely to be hit, especially as criminals knew many of the occupants were commuting to work during the day.

Chief Superintendent Tom Hayes said 72% of burglaries were on residential properties, while the remaining 28% were perpetrated on businesses.

He said the most likely times for burglaries across the city and county were between 7pm and 9pm on Wednesdays, 10am and 1pm on Fridays, and around 8pm on Saturdays.

Criminals are striking areas at Mass times on Saturday evenings. They are also targeting homes belonging to senior citizens when they are out to collect their pensions.

Chief Supt Hayes added “this snapshot” of burglaries could change depending on the time of year.

He said the region is being targeted by travelling criminals, many who may drive for up to 200 miles to target a particular area.

Chief Supt Ger Dillane said that the reason Mallow was in the top four for burglaries was because it was also being targeted by Limerick-based gangs.

Chief Supt Hayes said that, to date this year, burglars had stolen €650,000 from homes in Cork and a further €254,000 from businesses. That works out on average as €1,995.58 per crime.

He said that, in the case of residential break-ins, the main targets were jewellery and trophies (35%), while cash was 16%.

In terms of businesses, the highest amount of stolen property stolen was electronic equipment (32%) which could be easily sold on.

Chief Supt Hayes said gardaí needed the public’s co-operation to catch the criminals and, to date this year, they had solved around 25% of burglaries.