'Significant reduction' in number of major crimes in Ireland in 2025 

An Garda Síochána statistics show a 22%-23% fall in thefts last year — but a marked increase of 137% of fraud offences

The provisional crime numbers show a 23% decline in robberies from establishments and a 22% drop in theft from individuals over the 12-month period. Picture: Dan Linehan

Ireland saw “significant reductions” in many major crimes over the course of 2025, particularly in terms of property and robbery offences, per new statistics.

The latest provisional crime numbers released by An Garda Síochána show a 23% decline in robberies from establishments and a 22% drop in theft from individuals over the 12-month period.

137% growth in fraud

However, fraud offences increased markedly by 137% over the same period, primarily driven by a jump in online fraud activity and scams.

That big increase was fired by a 273% increase in deception offences, a 183% jump in online auction fraud, and a 164% hike in money laundering offences.

The increased levels in online crimes had been flagged by gardaí as being a likely outcome at the end of 2024 on foot of a heightened backlog in section 19 referrals from financial institutions on the back of fraud-related offences.

Theft from vehicles was down 16% and aggravated burglary down 14%, a sample of major crime categories which continued to decline at pace during 2025, according to An Garda Síochána.

Violence and sexual assault fell 

Violent disorder meanwhile was down 18%, with rape and sexual assault also declining significantly —  down 12% year on year.

Other than fraud, increases in crime were only noted in sporadic cases, with incidences of arson up very slightly over the year, public order offences up 4%, and criminal offences at demonstrations up 12%.

A spokesperson for the gardaí said that over 200 arrests were recorded daily in 2025, amounting to over 74,000 arrests for the year.

More than 134,000 charges were brought over the 12 months, with 190,000 criminal summonses issued.

They said that long term trends “continue to demonstrate and ongoing and sustained” reduction in recorded crime, adding that Ireland remains ranked the second most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland, per the Global Peace Index.