‘Let gardaí share shoplifter data’
It follows a 27% spike in shoplifting offences in the Cork City garda division in recent months — the first increase since 2008 in shoplifting offences in an area which includes the city centre and large retail hubs in Blackpool, Mahon Point, Wilton, Douglas, and Ballincollig.
Chief Superintendent Michael Finn described the increase as “significant”.
City councillors, who were briefed on the latest crime figures, have now agreed a motion calling on Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Data Protection Minister Dara Murphy to review and amend legislation which prevents gardaí sharing with retailers specific intelligence on known, repeat, prolific, and convicted shoplifters.
A spokesman for the Data Protection Commissioners said sharing o f personal data in relation to individuals is restricted unless there is a legal basis to do so or the individual consents to share it.
“The only way the legislation envisages the sharing or disclosure of photographs and other personal data is in the context of a specific criminal investigation,” he said.
However, Fine Gael councillor John Buttimer, who proposed the motion, said gardaí should be given the powers to share such information to help retailers protect their business.
“We also need clarity on whether business owners are within their rights to share pictures on social media sites like Facebook of those they suspect of being involved in this kind of crime,” he said.
Garda figures shows that the incident count of theft from shops in the Cork City garda division increased 27% between March and May 2015 compared to the same period last year. A total of 385 such incidents were recorded between March and May 2014 but the figure has soared to 490 during the same period this year.
Handling or possession of stolen property more than doubled in the period — from eight in the March to May period last year to 17 in the same period this year.
Burglary (not aggravated) is also up from 170 such incidents in the March to May period last year compared to 262 in the same period this year — a 54% increase.
Gardaí told public representatives that current data protection laws are hampering the fight against shoplifting. They said they would like to be able to give shopkeepers specific information about prolific or serial shoplifting offenders who may be operating in a particular area.
However, they said data protection laws prevent them from sharing this vital intelligence which could help shop owners identify these individuals at their doors, and possibly refuse access.
“A central aspect to stopping these people committing theft would be to share this information with stores,” said crime prevention officer Tony Davis.
“In order to tackle crime, we need everyone working together — for the gardaí to do our work and for store owners to do as much in-house, or crime prevention work, as they can.
“Sharing this kind of information would be a vital crime prevention measure.
“It is so hard for us to see an increase in this kind of theft, in particular, which affects a business’s bottom line.
“To tackle it properly, you really do need every arrow in your quiver, and clarity around these data protection issues would certainly help.”
Gardaí said a law change would allow them share with retailers the photographs of repeat, serial or prolific shoplifting offenders. Business people would also get training to help them deal with the issue at the shop door.
In Belfast, businesses have been declared data holders and have signed up to specific policies and protocols to facilitate the sharing of this kind of information.
