Cork Crime: Soaring prices drive a surge in the theft of meat 

The theft-to-order of luxury food is just one of the patterns revealed in the Irish Examiner's two-day series based on data from garda stations. See the Cork Crime link below. Stock picture: Alamy

Soaring meat prices have led to a rise in shoplifters stealing expensive cuts of prime steaks and legs of lamb for sale on the black market.

In recent months, a number of cases have come before courts in Cork City where meat was among items stolen in shoplifting incidents.

The 'Irish Examiner' is exploring crime data from garda stations in our Cork Crime series in print and online here. 

 

It is believed, in some cases, the meat is stolen by thieves for customers who pre-order it.

It comes amid a sharp increase in the price of striploin and sirloin steak, and lamb, in the past year.

According to the most recent consumer price index, the price of a kilogram of sirloin steak in June was €22.12 — up from €16.93 in July last year.

Meanwhile, the price of a kilo of striploin steak has jumped from €23.30 last July to €28.64 in June, while the cost of a leg of lamb has increased from €13.84 to €17.77 in the same period.

Solicitor Shane Collins-Daly, who works in the courts in Cork City, said the type of products being stolen in shoplifting incidents typically includes alcohol, high value products such as perfume, and football jerseys.

However, in recent times, meat has been on the menu for thieves.

“Steaks, in particular. I would think it is to get money to meet addiction, to buy drink or drugs. It is an unusual one,” he said.

An analysis of crime statistics for Cork City and County in the Irish Examiner today and tomorrow showed that the three garda stations of Anglesea St, Bridewell, and Watercourse Rd are the busiest in the division, accounting for just under 6,600 reported crimes.

Of those:

• Anglesea Street Garda Station received 1,309 reports of thefts and related offences among the 3,328 crimes recorded last year. It also handled 852 public order-related offences.
• Bridewell Garda Station handled 1,743 crime reports last year, including 696 thefts and related offences, and 361 public order-related offences.
• Watercourse Road Garda Station dealt with 537 reported thefts and 219 public order offences among a total of 1,524 crimes.

Gurranabraher Garda Station had the fourth highest number of reported incidents last year, totalling 787. They included 200 theft-related offences, 164 incidents relating to damage to property and the environment, and 111 public order and other social code offences.

Sharon Lambert, a senior lecturer at University College Cork’s school of applied psychology, said it is not surprising that crimes such as theft and public order are so prevalent in the city centre basin, given the social problems affecting the population in the area, including homelessness and addiction.

“Ireland is experiencing a greater wealth gap, with increasing levels of recorded poverty and poor or no housing,” she said.