The crime rate in Dublin's Temple Bar fell by 3 per cent for the first three months of this year, following a clampdown on anti-social behaviour in the area.
Martin Harte, manager of TASCQ - Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter - said the new "Play Nice" public awareness campaign launched last November appeared to be working.
He said Pearse Street Garda station had confirmed that crime was down 3 per cent, compared with the first three months of last year.
The campaign involves a greater liaison between An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and local business interests.
"This year's St Patrick's weekend was the safest and cleanest in our history," he said. This weekend will see a repeat of the procedures put in place then, with an extra team of street cleaners and a visible Garda presence.
TASCQ spends over €150,000 a year providing additional cleaning services to Temple Bar, including power washing, cleaning of public spaces and litter picking.
