The number of thefts from shops in Clare has more than doubled within a year, as theft remains the most prevalent criminal issue in the county.
New data from the Central Statistics Office shows sharp increases in recorded incidents of a number of offences in the twelve months to June of this year compared to the same period last year, with theft-related offences up by over 70%.
The offence of ‘theft from shop’ was the second most recorded offence in Clare with 192 such incidents recorded which represents a sharp increase of 123% on the same period last year.
Violent offences also saw spikes as criminal damage went up by 22%, damage to property rose by 15%, attempts or threats to murder saw an increase of 8% and public order incidents also climbed by 8%.
While fraud, deception and related offences nationwide saw a drop of 37%, Clare bucked that trend with recorded instances of fraud rising by one to 47 between April and June.
Sex crime also saw a worrying increase in this county with sexual offences, rape and sexual assault and other sexual offences soaring by 77%.
Looking at the national picture, homicide offences went up by 31%, theft and related offences by 25% and extortion and hijacking offences by 21%.
Meanwhile, attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences fell by 2%.
