Crime statistics are shocking, says senior Garda

A report in a Sunday paper today suggests that serious crime has increased across the board in Ireland. The report is based on an apparent leak from the 2001 unpublished crime statistics.

Comments have been made by officers that there has been an alarming and significant rise in violence and street crime.

Burglaries are reported to be up by 70%, assaults have trebled and rape has increased by 25%.

The leak of the unpublished crime statistics is sure to cause a blow to the newly formed Government who have pledged to tackle crime across the country since 1997.