THERE has been a significant decrease in serious crime in Limerick in recent months. Confirmation that “continued garda work on the ground is reaping the benefits of a better society,” comes from Chief Superintendent, Dave Sheahan, Limerick Division who says that while nationally the crime level for burglaries is on the rise, in the first seven months of this year figures indicate a 10 per cent drop locally. “Despite the reduction in burglaries locally, caution and a high degree of security and community awareness needs to be exercised, especially in light of the spate of armed house raids earlier this year through county Limerick towns.”
Warning that the gardai are targeting certain individuals through a series of operations, including Operation Alloy in relation to the unlawful taking of cars and thefts from cars, Chief Supt Sheahan said:
“Figures show that the operation is working with 430 detections in 2011 and a “dramatic decrease of 33 per cent to 287 in the first seven months of 2012.
“Focused and targeted policing is credited with the dramatic downturn but the economy is adding to the more opportunist type snatch and grab mentality that is out there.”
With a 20 per cent increase in the number of reported thefts from vehicles, the superintendent said they are sending out the message that people must not leave their valuables in sight.
“Without stating the obvious, the downturn in the economy has seen an increase in this type of petty crime but we are tackling it head on.”
There is an 8% increase in thefts from shops and the detection rate for these crimes is running at 79 per cent.
“Credit for this has to be given to all parties – store detectives, CCTV surveillance and the co-operation of all bodies with An Garda Siochana,” says the superintendent.
“We intend to meet with the retail sector, as areas of the city centre and the Crescent Shopping Centre continue to be targeted and we want to work closely with the businesses to reduce this. We can work in harmony to develop a strategy and our analysis has shown that targeting places at certain times and of certain people has proven very useful in the past so we will develop that further.”
Overall, property crime in Limerick is showing a reduction by two per cent.
“The decrease in burglaries and theft of cars is offset by the increase in shop thefts and thefts from cars but serious crime and gangs have taken a hit in recent months and the continued garda work on the ground is reaping the benefits of a better society.”
