New wardens to patrol Cork City after stabbings and shoplifting surge

Following two stabbings and a rise in shoplifting, Cork City is to introduce new community safety wardens from November

The wardens will begin patrolling the streets of Cork City in November. Picture: Denis Minihane

In a week where three people were hospitalised in two stabbings in Cork Cty, it was announced that four city centre wardens will begin patrolling the city from next month. 

Although the new appointees will not have enforcement powers like gardaí, they will be in close contact with law enforcement and other city authorities.

They aim to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and to support tourists, the vulnerable, and businesses.

Cork Business Association applied for funding for the wardens from the Department of Justice after hearing of their success in Dublin and Waterford.

Multiple city businesses had complained of anti-social behaviour and theft in the city.

Inspector James Hallahan told the annual CBA Safe & Clean Business Breakfast on Wednesday that although there had been a 5% increase in shoplifting, this was largely due to stronger reporting systems developed with the CBA retail committee.

Supermarkets are among the most targeted premises, with Tuesdays during lunchtime and stocktaking hours emerging as peak times for theft.

Steak and other expensive cuts of meat are now amongst the most commonly stolen items from the city’s businesses, one Garda source told the Irish Examiner.

Branded sports clothing remains the main target of many shoplifters, who will often steal to order, selling the stolen product on at about half its retail price, a Garda source said.

Cosmetics also remain a major target for shoplifters.

There were 568 arrests for shoplifting in Cork City this year, involving 365 offenders, according to Garda figures. 

Of the top 20 shoplifters, 60% are now in custody and 35% are on bail and not permitted in certain areas of the city.

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But one Garda source said that serial shoplifters, once sentenced, often spend little to no time in jail due to prison overcrowding.

Thefts of e-scooters and e-bikes have also risen, with gardaí working on enforcement to ensure e-scooters cannot exceed 20km/h.

But there has also been a 50% reduction in assaults, obstruction, and resisting arrest, and public order offences are down by 44% in the city.

CBA director Clíona Barnes said the CBA was initially granted funding from the Department of Justice for 1.5 wardens and Cork City Council, under CEO Valerie O’Sullivan, then matched that for another 2.5 wardens for the city.

They will begin training on October 20 and are expected to start patrolling the streets in November.

In addition to increasing a sense of security in the city, they will also act as champions for tourists and the vulnerable, helping people whenever possible, Ms Barnes said.

A red and black uniform will distinguish them from other wardens in the city, she said.

Exact routes have not yet been established but they are to patrol throughout the entire city, from Douglas St to MacCurtain St.

They are to operate from 10am through to 8pm to accommodate late-night shoppers.

“The primary role of the city centre warden is to deliver community assurance by providing a visible social presence across Cork City. Central to the role is positive engagement,” the CBA breakfast heard.

“The city centre warden will also focus on the appearance and maintenance of ​ key parts of the city.

"The role of the city centre warden will include ​responsibility to observe and report on negative activities and liaise directly ​with residents, businesses, and local stakeholders including An Garda Siochána, ​Cork City Council, Cork Business Association, and other organisations."

More than 100 people applied for the role, reflecting the pride people have in Cork City, John Hayes, city centre co-ordinator with Cork City Council, said.

The new warden announcement came after two separate stabbings in Cork City on Monday.

One alleged attack was after a disagreement over a mobile phone charger, it is understood.

Three people were hospitalised following the stabbings — at 12pm on Patrick St and 10pm on Quaker Rd — a residential street in the southside of the city.

One man was stabbed multiple times and was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but has since stabilised, it is understood.

The man, who is in his 40s, was attacked with a knife following a dispute with someone he knew.

Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry in both cases.

The alleged victims and perpetrators were known to each other in both cases and the attacks were not random in nature.

Wardens will be an extra pair of eyes and a definite asset to the city, one Garda source said.

Additional security measures to be introduced in the coming weeks in Cork City include a community policing van which will return to Cork City Centre from October 21 to January giving a mobile visible presence round the city centre.

Increased patrols in the city daily (covert and overt) with stop and search and targeting of prolific shoplifters are also taking place.

Cork City received some 20 new probationary gardaí on September 1, who have “hit the ground running” and become valuable assets to the city, Garda Inspector James Hallahan said.