There has been a significant drop in most forms of recorded crime during the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year, new figures indicate.
Latest crime data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows decreases in most types of crime such as homicides and drug offences.
Some of the biggest drops in crime were in the areas of sexual offences ( down 40 per cent), homicides (down 20 per cent) and drug offences (-12 per cent) between the first three months of this year and the same period last year.
However, CSO officials said caution should be used in interpreted these figures as when data is compiled on an annual basis (i.e. over the past 12 months) a different picture can emerge.
For example, while sexual offences fell by 40 per cent in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year, the number of offences actually increased by 22 per cent on an annualised basis.
Some areas of crime have risen. Burglary (up 8 per cent) and theft (up 5 per cent) increased significantly during the first three months of the year compared to the same period last year.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter today welcomed the figures which he said showed the result of Garda strategies to combat crime.
“They also reflect the challenges which An Garda Síochána and our society face in the time ahead. The task now is to ensure that the resources which are available - and which are still significant - continue to be used as creatively and effectively as possible,” he said.
On the increase in burglaries, Mr Shatter said he was “well aware of the misery which burglaries can cause” and has been assured that Garda management is constantly reviewing strategies to tackle this offence.
He said he believed that the Government’s commitment to increase community policing will be of particular importance in deterring such crime.
