asked the Minister for Justice if he will give a year-by-year analysis of crimes committed in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area of Couny Dublin in the most recent ten-year period for which figures are available.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Crime Statistics.
9.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the increase in crime in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and the urgent need for an increase in personnel in the Garda Síochána force in that area; and the action, if any, he intends to take in the matter.
With the permission, of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 11 together.
Particulars of the number of indictable crimes reported or known to the gardaí during the period 1967 to 1976 in respect of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area are in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
I stated in reply to a question on 12th May that the Garda authorities exercise a continuing supervision over the police needs of all areas and the allocation of Garda resources in modified from time to time according as the needs of particular areas vary. As I indicated to the House on the 3rd May, the provision of extra funds to permit increased Garda patrolling was being investigated. These funds have since been made available and as a result additional foot patrols are now being operated in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area.
I may add that Dún Laoghaire is one of the areas to which extra gardaí will be allocated when the additional manpower at present being recruited becomes available for assignment.
Following is the statement:
Indictable Crime—Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Area
|
Year ended 30th September |
Number of offences against the person |
Number of offences against property with violence |
Number of offences against property without violence |
Number of other indictable offences |
Total number of offences |
|
1967 |
19 |
280 |
645 |
18 |
962 |
|
1968 |
33 |
311 |
803 |
23 |
1,170 |
|
1969 |
27 |
296 |
809 |
46 |
1,178 |
|
1970 |
11 |
545 |
973 |
27 |
1,556 |
|
1971 |
29 |
580 |
1,359 |
34 |
2,002 |
|
1972 |
32 |
630 |
1,175 |
35 |
1,872 |
|
1973 |
37 |
755 |
1,150 |
43 |
1,985 |
|
1974 |
25 |
793 |
1,084 |
26 |
1,928 |
|
Calendar year |
|||||
|
1975* |
12 |
731 |
1,043 |
31 |
1,817 |
|
1976 |
17 |
1,133 |
965 |
1† |
2,116 |
*Since 1975 crime statistics have been compiled in respect of calendar years. The statistics for earlier years relate to the years ended 30th September.
†The apparent decrease in the number of indictable crimes in this category is accounted for by a change in the system of recording crimes. Some crimes previously recorded as "other indictable offences" are now recorded in one of the other three categories.
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area is served by the Garda Stations at Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, Dalkey, Kill O' The Grange, Cabinteely and Shankill.
How many of the extra gardaí will become available in that area? Is the Minister aware of the concern of the people and the gardaí in that area at the lack of foot patrols? Is he further aware of the increase in the number of break-ins and assaults in the area over the past number of years? The gardaí and the people attribute this entirely to the lack of personnel. No action appears to have been taken in the matter, except in the past few days with the prospect of the general election in view.
I get the impression that Deputy Andrews is disappointed that remedial action is being taken.
On the contrary——
I am not saying how many gardaí will be allocated because that will be a matter for the commissioner's professional judgment. Extra beat patrols are being made available, as I indicated in my reply. I share the Deputy's concern and the concern of the citizens at the increase in crime but the Garda have not indicated to me that they consider gardaí numbers have been a causative factor in the increases in the crime rate. There is no proven connection between the two things.
What is the causative factor in the rise in crime? Is it something to do with the lack of foot patrols?
It is nothing to do with the lack of foot patrols. It is, unfortunately, a phenomenon which has manifested itself throughout the western world. Crime in all western countries is on the increase. That is a regrettable social phenomenon and has many and varied causes.
The Minister has not blamed the oil crisis for this and that is a help. He must be aware of the serious concern of the gardaí and the people of the area at the increase in crime.
Of course, I am aware of the increase in crime and I share that concern. As I indicated to the Deputy, steps to remove that concern so far as gardaí are concerned are being taken.