Crackdown on gangs who target rural areas

Urban gangs who target vulnerable rural areas to commit hit-and-run burglaries are to be targeted under new Government surveillance measures.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly and the minister of state with responsibility for rural affairs, Ann Phelan, will reveal the plans this morning following growing concerns that existing security measures fail to prevent the escalating problem.

The Irish Examiner understands that, following a spate of robberies across the country, the Department of Environment has agreed to set up a pilot surveillance project to address the issue — which, if successful, will be extended to other areas.