Drugs Crimes In Clare Jump 9% Across 2019

Photo (c) An Garda Síochána

There’s been a 9% increase in drugs-related offences in Clare across the past year.

Figures revealed at the first meeting of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee of 2020 have shown that last year saw a total of 326 reports of drug crimes last year; up from 299 in 2018.

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Clare’s Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran has revealed, for the first time, the overall crime statistics for the Clare Garda Division for 2019.

Overall, crime across the board is continuing to experience a welcome drop.

The serious offences of thefts and burglaries, road traffic incidents and public order and assault offences are on a downward trend.

Reports of sexual and drugs offences in particular, though, are seeing a rise.

Last year saw 89 cases of possession of drugs with the intent for sale or supply in Clare, up from 68 the previous year, marking a 31% rise.

Simple possession cases, meanwhile, rose by 3% – from 231 to 237 – with this meaning there was an overall 9% jump in drugs crime in Clare.

Thefts from shops dropped from 362 to 323; burglaries decreased from 268 to 211 and thefts from vehicles went from 239 to 172 over the past 12 months.

In terms of the roads, speeding cases saw a very welcome 20% drop in 2019; from 5,680 to 4,533.

Sexual offences, however, are on the rise – with 12 reports of rape last year, up from nine in 2018, and 31 sexual assault reports, up from 27.

Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran says, however, that this is as a result of increased faith in the Gardaí as opposed to a spike in this type of crime.