Friday, 25 March 2013
Overall decrease in crime rates across the Cork City Garda Division for quarter three of 2013
The Gardai have reported that over the last three months there has been a 7.8% reduction in the recorded crime statistics across the Cork City Division when compared with the same period last year. The largest decrease is in the area of Criminal Damage and Public Order, which is down 18%. There has also been a large decrease in Crimes Against the Person, which is down 14%. These two categories of crime are important indicators as they show the level of criminal activity on our streets and affect how safe people feel when going about their daily lives. Decreases in both of these categories are particularly welcome and reassuring.
The overall reduction in crime is testament to the continuing efforts of our Gardai to make sure that our streets are safe and that people feel secure in their homes. Modern policing models are a crucial element in tackling crime and the commitment of the Gardai to proactive community policing is clearly having a positive impact and helping to reduce crime across our city.
While the overall figures are down there has been an increase in the incident count for the possession of drugs for personal use and the possession of offensive weapons. These increases highlight the need for continued vigilance and show that the fight against crime is continuing.
Investment in the Garda force is an important element of efforts to tackle criminal activity. To help with this the Government has announced an additional €9 million investment in the Garda Fleet, €5 million of this will be made available between now and the end of this year. As well as this investment Garda recruitment will recommence in 2014, for five years there has been no Garda recruitment, bringing in new members to the force will ensure that we continue to have the necessary strength in numbers to continue fighting criminal activity.