Alarming increase in Northside burglaries

A CALL has been made for Garda resources to be urgently beefed up after new statistics show that there was a 20 per cent increase in burglaries across four Northside Garda Districts in 2014.

While property crime was down slightly at two per cent in the Coolock, Raheny, Ballymun and Balbriggan Garda districts, the burglary figure is a cause for major concern.

Also worrying is that the current detection rate for property crime across these areas is averaging only 19 per cent.

The statistics, provided in a report to the North Central Area Joint Policing Committee on February 9, show that:

?¢ Property crime for the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division is down by approximately two per cent in 2014 compared with 2013.

?¢ There were 8,998 reported incidents in 2013 compared to 8,795 reported incidents in 2014.

?¢ The current detection rate is 19 per cent.

?¢ All categories of crime have decreased with the exception of burglary and trespass.

?¢ Burglaries have increased across the divisions by 20 per cent. This represents 2,000 reported incidents in 2013 compared to 2,393 reported incidents in 2014.

End of year totals for property crime per district were:

?¢ Coolock: 2013 (3,216); 2014 (3,019); detection rate (21 per cent)

?¢ Ballymun: 2013 (2,431); 2014 (2,305); detection rate (22 per cent)

?¢ Raheny: 2013 (2,053); 2014 (2,066); detection rate (15 per cent)

?¢ Balbriggan: 2013 (1,298); 2014 (1,405); detection rate (15 per cent)

Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind) said he

“wasn’t a bit surprised

? after receiving the figures.

“Feedback from my constituents reveals that the house burglary situation is getting worse year-on-year,

? Deputy McGrath told Northside People.

“People are living in fear in their own homes and unless you have experienced someone breaking into your home it is very hard to contemplate the fear and worry experienced.

“Community policing is key but requires a very focused and intensive effort and there is an urgent need for more resources and more visibility. Gardaí need to be moved away from administration roles and into more visible roles in the community.

?

Deputy McGrath said he welcomed Operation Acer, a citywide intelligence-led operation tasked with tackling burglary crime, and would await reports on its progress later in the year.

Its focus is on prevention, investigation and a multi-agency approach to tackling crime. In his manifesto for the next general election, Deputy McGrath said he would be calling for extra gardaí on the beat, radical reform of Garda management structures and

“sensible use

? of Garda resources.

“The current police force is not adequately equipped and we need to increase Garda numbers,

? he stated.

“Too many people are intimidated, particularly our senior citizens.

?

Earlier this month it was announced that there are currently 300 new Garda recruits in training in Templemore. However, Deputy McGrath believes this figure isn’t adequate.

“It is not enough,

? he declared.

“There is a huge need for increasing the numbers before it’s too late.

?

Deputy McGrath also cited the closure of Garda stations as having a

“major impact

? on crime.

“There is an urgent need for Garda reform,

? he added.

In his report to the North Central Area Joint Policing Committee, Francis Clerkin, chief superintendent of the DMR North Division, said he would continue to implement crime prevention strategies.

These involve high visibility patrols in specified areas coupled with good communications and crime prevention advice through community policing.

“All reported crimes will be vigorously investigated; the victim fully appraised of the progress of the investigation and provided with security advice through our call back initiative,

? he said.

“(The) Divisional Community Police Office, located at Santry Garda Station, and local community gardai provide this service to crime victims.

?