GARDA numbers in Dublin West dropped by almost 23 per cent during the embargo on recruitment according to figures from the local Joint Policing Committee (JPC) received by Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF).
There was also a 14 per cent increase in Dublin 15 burglaries from July to December 2016, but Gardaí say this may be a “perceived increase” as figures rise during the winter period because of the dark evenings.
Current Garda staffing levels in Dublin West are four inspectors, 17 sergeants and 124 gardai. This compares to five inspectors, 29 sergeants and 154 gardai prior to the embargo on recruitment during the economic crisis.
Cllr Donnelly described the figures from the JPC as “shocking”.
“I understood that we were struggling with Garda numbers in our region,” he said. “However, the figures presented to the JPC on foot of my questions is utterly shocking.
“The people of Dublin West know the real effects on the ground. Just the other day in Mulhuddart, citizens made an arrest of an individual who assaulted a young mother and tried to steal her car. Many involved commented on the length of time it took to get a Garda response whilst ordinary citizens held this person on the ground.
“This poor response time to requests from citizens in not unusual, despite the professionalism of the Gardaí who work relentlessly to provide a quality service to the community.”
Gardai say numbers of officers in the area is expected to increase over the coming month.
“It is local management’s aspiration to achieve similar staffing levels from the ongoing recruitment campaign,” the response to Cllr Donnelly reads.
“At present there is a programme of additional deployment of resources in the area of crime prevention to address local needs.”