Thefts and robberies rank highest for helpline calls

Robbery, burglary and theft are still the country's most common crimes.

Last year, 23% of all contacts with the National Crime Victims Helpline related to these offences, followed by assault and childhood sexual abuse.

The Irish Examiner reports that more than six out of every ten contacts were made by women to the helpline, which took 4,600 calls and more than 400 emails and texts last year.

Nearly half (45%) of those contacting the service were in Dublin, with Cork in second place at 7%, followed by Wicklow at 6%.