Burglaries fall significantly in Dublin as assaults rise
Garda figures, covering the Dublin City Council area, show that while overall levels of theft have fallen, theft from the person has risen.
The figures, given to the Dublin City Joint policing committee, compare January-February 2016 to the same period in 2015.
Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Jack Nolan said there were three murders in the capital to the end of February, the same as last year.
He said the murders this year had received “significant publicity,” but added gardaí were “making progress” in the investigations.
He told the committee that property crime was down 9% on the same period in 2015 — and that violent property crime had fallen by 18%.
He said theft from a shop was down, but theft from the person was up, and that gardaí would respond to this.
“Burglaries in 2016 continue to decline and is running at -37% on 2015 levels.
“This can be largely attributed to the continued work of the dedicated burglary response units throughout the region under the auspice of Operation Thor.”
Mr Nolan said public order and begging offences had stabilised.
He said crimes against the person were up 8%, with the “greatest increase” in the category of minor assaults, up 18%.
“This continues to present a challenge to An Garda Siochána to address this trend,” he told councillors.
“Hi-visibility strategies will remain in place to address this problem, utilising mountain bike and foot patrols in key areas.”
He pointed out that assaults causing harm had decreased by 3% and that trends for firearms and offensive weapons remained stable, with just one more case of possession of a firearm, and three less of discharge of a firearm.
Possession of offensive weapons, including knives, is up 10%.
Overall drug offences are down 16%. Even still, 4,757 drug searches were carried out in January- February 2016.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
