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.

The number of shoplifting offences have risen 63%, from 389 offences from January-October, 2019, to 636 offences in the same period this year. The pre-covid 2019 period is regarded as the comparable period for looking at crime statistics.

Sinn Féin Justice spokesman and Kerry TD Pa Daly, a member of the Kerry Joint Policing Committee, asked if the thefts were “drug related” but was told they were not. 

“They are down to a combination of factors,”  Chief Supt Powell said.

Juveniles, as well as a number of recidivist individuals, were largely to blame for the shoplifting. In some cases, the items taken were very small, but cosmetics were one area being targeted.

The amount of organised crime involved was very small, Supt Powell said in response to questions from Mr Daly.

Meanwhile, there has been a big fall in break-ins to houses and premises in Kerry, the meeting was told.

Non-aggravated burglaries are down 53% from 194 in 2019, to 91 such offences so far this year.

Theft from cars is also down by 29% — from 95 in 2019 to 67 in 2023. Aggravated burglary, where violence is used against individuals in their homes and premises, was “miniscule”, probably fewer than five incidents, Supt Powell said.

Online shopping was another area to be concerned about and online fraud constituted the majority of cyber crime in Kerry, he said.

Concerns were raised by Cllr Niall O’Callaghan about the absence of community policing in Killarney, where he said cars were being targeted by groups of young people, who were throwing stones at them along the Killarney bypass.

Significant changes were being made and the situation in Killarney was to be reviewed and additional sergeants to be appointed to the area, the meeting was told.

Meanwhile, Kerry’s crime prevention officer, Sergeant Michael Quirke urged householders to record all valuables such as pictures and jewellery on their phone.