THE CRIME Victims Helpline has warned people against keeping large sums of cash on their person or in their homes as they prepare for holidays.
The helpline (1850 211407) said it was receiving calls from people every week who had been mugged or had lost cash during a burglary. It has seen a significant increase in calls from victims of all crime since the beginning of this year.
Maeve Ryan, service co-ordinator, said international research suggested that crimes such as burglary and theft increased at times of economic recession.
“The Crime Victims Helpline is regularly contacted by people who have amounts of cash stolen from them personally or from their home.”
She said there was a greater tendency to carry large sums of money at this time of year when people were preparing for holidays, as they were paying for tickets and other expensive items.
“Or it may be money saved up to pay rent or for a special purchase,” she said. “People may withdraw cash from a bank, post office or ATM machine and may actually have been observed making the withdrawal.”
The helpline provides emotional support to victims of crime as well as information on the justice system and on local services for victims of crime.
The Helpline received 2,413 calls last year, compared with 1,963 in 2007. Ms Ryan said the number of calls in January this year was 15 per cent higher than in the previous January. “That trend is continuing in recent months and the calls we receive are only a fraction of true crime levels.”
The Crime Victims Helpline (1850 211407) is a national service and is open from 10am-7.30pm on Mondays, 10am-5pm from Tuesday to Friday and 2-6pm on Saturdays.
Callers can leave a message outside these hours and the call will be returned.
