There’s been a 50% rise in burglaries in Clare this year while road traffic offences have seen a reduction.
A meeting of the county’s Joint Policing Committee representatives today has heard that “Covid can’t be used as an excuse anymore” as the rate of burglary has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Addressing Clare’s JPC members today, Chief Superintendent Aileen Magner has admitted that policing property crime is posing a challenge to Gardaí in the county.
Between January and March of this year, 66 burglaries were recorded in the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division which is up 50% on the 44 recorded during the same period in 2023.
Theft from vehicles has seen a 13% increase while shop theft is up 8% for that period but the Chief Superintendent claims “good work” is taking place with one significant arrest having been made in recent weeks.
Offences relating to the sale or supply of drugs have risen by 40% with this particular type of crime said to be placing strain on Garda resources.
A worrying rise of 46% has been recorded in assaults causing harm and Chief Superintendent Magner has stressed that contrary to popular belief, many of these are taking place in the home and the crime is not restricted to the nighttime economy.
In the same vein, domestic violence incidents reported in the first quarter of this year are up 14% with 184 having taken place.
While much of the discussion has centred on road safety, Garda in Clare are happy to report that driving without insurance is down 13% as is driving under the influence while speeding offences have seen a 10% drop so far this year.
Fraud and economic crime remain a concern and although incidents of this nature are down 23%, Clare Gardaí are establishing an economic crime unit to tackle fraudulent activity.
