FG says crime 'fall' isn't reflected on streets

Fine Gael Justice spokesman John Deasy has claimed the fall in crime figures published today do not reflect the situation on the streets.

"I genuinely do not believe the crime situation on our streets is improving and I think the majority of people would agree with me," said Deputy Deasy.

The figures released by the Department of Justice showed incidents of serious crime fell last year.

The provisional figures came from the Garda Commissioner, and show a fall of 2% in headline crime rates in 2003.

But Deputy Deasy says people dealing with crime will tell a different story.

"Rape crimes, for example, are down according to the statistics but professionals dealing with victims of this crime will state the exact opposite," he said.

"To say that these figures indicate that the upward spiral of crime has halted is incorrect. The reality is that large numbers of people simply don't report crimes any more.

"These figures will only serve to make the Minister for Justice and department officials feel better about themselves. They will not make anyone in the general public feel any more secure or safe."