Gardaí urge people to step up security amid burglary surge

Senior gardaí have encouraged people to take simple steps to improve their home and vehicle security after a surge in burglary rates across Cork city and county.

The reported rate of property crime in the Cork City, North Cork and West Cork garda divisions has increased to 1,884 in the first quarter of the year compared to 1,657 in the same period last year.

The reported incidents of crime against the person have increased to 480 in the first quarter compared to 403 last year, and the rates of burglary, non-aggravated, have jumped from 326 to 424.

Chief Supt Tom Hayes said the overall burglary figures, including burglary rates from Cork City, saw a significant jump since last year.

Chief Supt Michael Finn said that heroin was driving the surge in city burglaries but he said gardaí are working on a series of special drugs operations to combat the issue.

They were speaking at a meeting yesterday of the Cork County Joint Policing Committee. The senior garda officers said an analysis of the figures showed that 50% of the burglaries during the first quarter of the year took place during daytime, and close to motorways and rail lines which facilitates roaming gangs.

In the city, it was shops, salons, and restaurants most hit, while shops and warehouses were targeted mainly in North Cork.

Chief Supt Finn said a major spike in theft from cars in the Blarney area was down to one person, now in custody.

Superintendent Ger Dillane said he has mounted special patrols in North Cork in the last month to combat the threat posed by travelling and opportunistic raiders.

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