The northern and south-eastern regions of the State are expected to be the only areas to show an increase in serious crime last year when the Garda National Crime Report is published this morning.
The biggest drop in reported crime, of 14 per cent, is believed to have been recorded in the eastern region, with a similar decrease in the southern region and a small drop in the west.
However, crime reported in the northern region, including Donegal and the Border counties, is believed to have increased by more than 10 per cent. And there has been a smaller increase in reported crime in the south-east.
The report, compiled from reports submitted by every Garda station in the State, is published by the Department of Justice.
It is expected to show an increase of more than 20 per cent in the number of sex crimes in 1997 and a 10 per cent drop in the overall level of serious crimes for last year.
The drop of 10 per cent in the overall level of serious crime has already been made public. The report will include a breakdown of types of crime and areas of the State where crime has fallen or risen.
A study was commissioned by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, of the increase in sex crime when it was first highlighted towards the end of last year. In May its report was published, showing that reported rapes had increased by 39 per cent and overall sex crime by 23 per cent. However, almost one-third of the reported crimes had occurred before 1997, the Garda Research Unit found.
The National Crime Report is also expected to highlight a large decrease in the number of armed robberies. Figures issued earlier in the summer showed that the 1997 trend of a 10 per cent drop in overall crime had been repeated in the first six months of this year.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, has welcomed the 1998 figures.
