Shop theft in Clare rose by three times the rate of the rest of the country last year.
A new Central Statistics Office crime report shows a significant increase in theft-related offences nationwide, with over 70,000 such incidents recorded across 2023.
The CSO’s latest Crime Statistics report reveals a 12% increase in incidents involving theft and related offences last year, of which 74,144 took place.
Retailers appear to be taking a particular hit and in Clare alone, 567 instances of shop theft were recorded which indicates a 49% jump from 2022 levels.
In Ennis alone, 635 incidents involving theft were recorded which is up 25% on the previous year, while 74 were recorded in Shannon, showing an 8% year-on-year rise there.
72 theft-related offences were logged at Killaloe Garda Station while 60 took place in Kilrush and Ennistymon’s station recorded 44 such offences.
The report also reveals Clare Garda Division saw a 21% surge in incidents relating to attempts or threats to murder, assault or harassments, of which there were 518 last year compared to 429 in 2022.
Damage to property and the environment saw a 9% rise with 451 incidents of this nature having taken place in Clare last year, while incidents relating to public order fell marginally by 3% to 398.
