Rise in kidnappings and robberies - report

There was a significant increase in the level of kidnappings, robberies and burglaries and extortion and hijacking in the five years to the end of 2012, an official review of Garda figures has revealed.

While some violent crime fell – reported murders and manslaughters were down 11% over the period and attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences were down by 18% – other types of crime spiked.