Burglaries down in Northside areas

BURGLARIES have dropped by almost half in Northside areas so far this year according to newly-released figures.

The latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows 442 burglaries were reported in Dublin’s Western Garda Division in the first quarter of 2016 – down 41 per cent from 750 cases in the same period of 2015.

The number of burglaries in Dublin’s Northern Garda Division also plummeted by almost 50 per cent in the first three months of this year.

Blanchardstown fared the worst of the Northside areas with 135 recorded burglaries. Finglas saw burglaries amount to 80 for January, February and March combined.

To date there have been 26 burglaries in Ballymun and 15 in Cabra, according to the figures.

The CSO figures confirm statistics from a recent meeting of Dublin Northwest Joint Policing Committee, where it was reported that burglaries were down significantly in Ballymun and Santry, where there previously had been a surge.

“I want to commend the Gardaí for their work in reducing burglaries in Santry and Ballymun,” said Cllr Noeleen Reilly (SF)

“I am delighted to learn that Santry has seen a year on year decrease of 48 per cent and Ballymun has decreased by 52 per cent.

“Some parts of Santry have seen a reduction of over 75 per cent, which is fantastic.”

The decreases in Santry and Ballymun follow a concerted Garda campaign that included increased checkpoints in the area due to operations Thor, Hybrid and Strive.

“Checkpoints are one of the best tools that can be used by Gardaí to deter and catch burglars,” Cllr Reilly added.

“It is important that these additional resources are maintained as we know from past experience that once attention is removed, often the problems come back as bad as ever.”

Despite the reduction in burglaries, a recent survey commissioned by PhoneWatch shows some homeowners are still tempting fate by not taking precautions. 

The survey of 1,000 homeowners conducted by iReach found that 41 per cent have left windows open when leaving the house.

And 38 per cent have left keys hidden in their gardens while 25 per cent have left doors unlocked.