The Garda Commissioner has noted the publication of the Quarter 3, 2013 crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office today (December 19th 2013).
The figures are on an annualised basis (i.e. comparing the last 12 months to the same period last year) and show a reduction in 12 of the 14 crime groups*.
Speaking at the Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park Commissioner Callinan welcomed the decrease:
"I am heartened that the hard work being carried out by members of An Garda Síochána throughout the country is reflected in the Q3 statistics released today. I am particularly pleased to see that Burglary and Related Offences (Group 7) are running significantly lower (down 10.9%), as are Fraud and Deception Offences (Group 9) with a reduction of 16.6% in this group.
However, we must not become complacent – the rise in Theft and Related Offences (Group 8) shows that recent initiatives we have undertaken such as the inaugural Crime Prevention Day of Action (December 2nd) highlighting smartphone theft are timely and targeted, and will assist us in the fight against crime in general and thefts in particular.”
The Garda Commissioner continued:
"The fall in Weapons and Explosives Offences (Group 11 – down 9.2%), Controlled Drug Offences (Group 10 – down 6.7%) and Offences Against the State (Group 15 – down 11.8%) show that our continuing efforts to dismantle all aspects of organised crime and subversive activity is having a definable benefit for the law abiding citizens of the country who wish to live their lives in peace.
We will continue to ensure our work is carried out in consultation with, and for the benefit of, communities around the country.”
Notes-
* The CSO Crime Statistics cover 15 Crime Groups. Group 14 - Road Traffic Offences Not Elsewhere Covered - are reported on annually and are not covered in the CSO figures released today.
Information on the crime prevention campaign surrounding mobile phones is available at: http://garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=12286&Lang=1
