Thefts from the person grew by over a third in the year up to June 2013 according to the latest crime statistics released by the CSO this morning.
Although crime rates fell in most crime categories in the year up to the end of June, increases were recorded in relation to thefts, robbery and aggravated burglary as well as dangerous driving leading to death.
The largest increase in recorded crime was in relation to theft from the person, instances of which increased by 33.4 per cent to 5,729 up to the end of June. Theft from shops rose by 1 per cent to 20,178 in the same period.
Robbery, categorised as cases of theft from the person which involve violence, rose by 2.6 per cent to 1,663.
The CSO recorded crime statistics show that homicide offences, a category which includes murder and manslaughter offences and dangerous driving leading to death, rose by 1.5 per cent in the 12 months to the end of June as compared to previous 12- month period.
However, three fewer murders and manslaughters were recorded in that period compared to the previous year while the number of cases of dangerous driving leading to death rose from 16 to 20 driving the overall increase in homicide offences.
Recorded crime fell in all other categories. Sexual offences fell by 7.9 per cent up to June 2013 from the corresponding period in 2012 from 2,090 to 1,924.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said he was pleased with the figures. “We’ve had a tremendous campaign over the last 18 months or so to try and deal with the prolific increase in burglaries that has been occurring for many, many years now,” he said.
“It’s no accident that since we started this campaign we’ve had almost 6,000 arrests and over 3,500 people brought before the courts. “So that’s very significant and I’m very pleased to see that the increase in burglaries that had been here for the last couple of years is on the decline.”
Mr Callinan said his force will continue to combat crime in all its forms, including serious crimes.
“Our continued commitment to deal with the significant threat posed by dissident groups is reflected in the recent discovery over the weekend,” he said on the seizure of firearms, ammunition and explosive components in Meelick, Co Clare.
“It is through targeted intelligence-led operations such as these that we can most effectively disrupt subversive and criminal gangs and ensure that benefits are seen by lawful citizens going about their daily business on the streets of the cities and towns of the country.”
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said a controversial new database of DNA samples from convicted criminals and suspects in serious crimes will allow gardai to link crimes and identify suspects for unsolved crimes.
“This new legislation which I have made a priority since assuming office will be invaluable to the gardai,” he added.
“The intelligence generated will substantially assist the gardai in the investigation of a wide range of crimes including many serious crimes such as homicide and sexual offences. “It will also be of substantial help in the investigation of cold cases and will facilitate greater cooperation with other police forces across the European Union in tackling international crime and illegal cross border activities.”
Assault causing harm fell by 9.3 per cent; the number of recorded harassment cases fell by 21.9 per cent while other assault offences fell by 8.3 per cent to 9,721.
There was also a decrease in the number of recorded drink driving offences which fell by 15 per cent from 8,739 to 7,425.
Kidnapping offences fell by 12.5 per cent to 98 while robbery, extortion and hijacking offences also fell by 4.8 per cent.
Robbery of an establishment or institution fell by 14.1 per cent as did robbery of cash or goods in transit offences which decreased from 54 to 32 in the same period.
There were 26,211 recorded burglary offences in the 12-month-period covered by the statistics, a decrease of 8.9 per cent. However cases of aggravated burglary, the subset of burglaries which involve trespass onto residences and which involve violence or the threat of violence, rose by 3.2 per cent in the same period.
Cases involving fraud, deception and related offences decreased by over 10 per cent to 5,014 in the 12-month-period to June 2013 while controlled drug offences also fell by 12.6 per cent.