CRIME PREVENTION

Sir, - I have no desire to prolong this rather pointless and directionless correspondence, but really must answer some of the…

Sir, - I have no desire to prolong this rather pointless and directionless correspondence, but really must answer some of the wild assumptions and misrepresentations made by Gregory Allen in his last letter (January 29th).

I did not, as he suggests, support a "dilution in principle" - the principle of crime prevention. In fact, AGSI is now and always has been fully supportive of that principle. My association is proud to represent may fine crime prevention officers throughout the country, personnel who do an excellent job in spite of the many resource constraints imposed on them. In fact, AGSI constantly argues for a greater role for the CP service, and for greater personnel strengths and resources to be allocated to it.

The role of the Garda Siochana includes the "prevention and detection" of crime. Detection, and successful prosecution, is one of the greatest possible deterrents to crime; therefore the success of the Garda in filling the courts and the prisons is a most efficient way of preventing further crime.

Another vital crime prevention tactic is to have gardai on the beat. To provide this service requires sufficient numbers, and with the force running at 600-700 below its authorised strength it is proving difficult, and impossible in some areas, to maintain the beat service. To restore the strength to its authorised figure of 11,400 would at least provide some more beat members.

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Total prevention of crime is a much deeper issue and involves the entire social fabric - not just the one isolated element which is An Garda Siochana. Endemic criminality needs to be tackled with vigour in a variety of ways, and with the full support of all elements of society. Perhaps then we will arrive at the crime free utopia which we all desire. - Yours, etc.,

General secretary,

Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors,

Phibsborough Tower,

Phibsborough,

Dublin 7.