Crime figures up sharply but CSO voices concerns

Reported sex crimes, assaults, robberies and weapons offences have risen sharply, according to new crime statistics.

CSO figures show an increase in all but one of the 14 crime categories, including a jump in kidnappings and fraud offences, but the CSO has again stressed the figures were being published with a heavy caution to reflect their continuing concerns over of the quality of the Garda data.

The apparent surge in recorded crimes comes just a day after PSNI deputy police chief Drew Harris was announced as the next Garda commissioner.