Shoplifting on rise in Kerry but fall in break-ins, burglaries

Stores selling cosmetics a particular target for thieves, meeting told

Number of shoplifting offences have risen 63%, from 389 offences from January-October, 2019, to 636 offences in the same period this year. File picture

Shoplifting offences have soared in Kerry over the past year, a meeting of the county’s main policing body was told on Friday, with retail outlets selling cosmetics under particular pressure.

There are currently a number of cases before the courts, where gardaí are seeking "strict curfews" from streets as well as individual shops, Superintendent Pádraic Powell said during a review of the county crime statistics.