Donal Carey
Question:16 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of motor vehicles stolen in each of the years from 1996 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20197/98]
Other Questions. - Car Theft.
Comprehensive statistics on the unauthorised taking of vehicles and on the number of stolen vehicles are provided in the annual reports of An Garda Síochána for 1996 and 1997. Comparable statistics are provided for the previous 15 years in each case and the numbers of unauthorised takings recorded is shown per 1,000 vehicles licensed in each Garda region.
In 1996, 1,780 mechanically propelled vehicles were recorded as stolen. The number of unauthorised takings was 13,405. In 1997, 2,450 mechanically propelled vehicles were recorded as stolen. The number of unauthorised takings was 13,589. Comparable figures for 1998 are not yet available.
(Mayo): Will the Minister agree the figures for 1996 and 1997 represent a considerable increase over previous years and are the highest since the mid 1980s? Does he see any merit in making it obligatory on new car manufacturers to fit each car with an immobiliser? In this day and age when we are able to put in all kinds of safeguards, for example pin numbers for mobile phones, and draw money from automatic banking machines, it should be possible to install an automatic device in the steering column of a car which would be wired to the engine and would automatically immobilise it. This would bring an end to joyriding in new cars. It would filter through the system and would soon apply to all cars. Does he see any merit in discussing this matter with his fellow Minister or Ministers and having it applied on a European level, as a standard in the same way that seatbelts are now standard equipment in cars?
Unfortunately, I do not profess to be an expert on immobilisers. If that were to be of assistance I would actively encourage it. We still have a serious problem in some communities in respect of joyriding. It is one manifestation of the disorderly and criminal tendencies of a small minority of young people, most of whom come from backgrounds where disadvantage is a common factor. A number of measures are required to tackle this problem. It needs to be tackled from the law enforcement perspective. We require initiatives which reduce the tendency towards wrongdoing in the first instance. All of these approaches have a validity and are worth pursuing.
Dr. Upton
Has the Minister information on the people who engage in this activity and what initiatives is he introducing to deal with the problem of unauthorised takings of vehicles? If my estimate is correct, 500 cars per week are being stolen. This is an indication of an enormous problem and one which would benefit from initiatives from the preventive wing of the Department.
Those concerned are young people from a background of disadvantage. My Department is funding 14 juvenile diversion projects in large urban areas of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. The purpose of these projects is to help young people to divert from crime. These projects are proving very successful and have the support of local communities. My Department and the Garda Síochána will continue to co-operate with the communities in this respect.
Dr. Upton
How many of these unauthorised car thefts involve joyriding? What measures does the Minister propose to take to address this dreadful problem in some parts of Dublin? The effects of this phenomenon on some parts of the city are appalling.
That is a statistical question, but if one deducts the number of vehicles stolen, and not define that as constituting joyriding, from the amount of unauthorised takings, one would come fairly close to the figure. It is not possible to give the precise statistics without adequate notice.
Is the Minister aware that, apart from joyriding, cars are often stolen to commit other crimes? Fast cars stolen in the city are often moved to the country for the purposes of committing crimes.
A question to the Minister.
Is the Minister aware of this? Does he propose to introduce legislation to address the overall problem of car thefts? If somebody steals a car it is almost treated as a right whereas one could be put in jail for five years for stealing a handbag.
A question to the Minister.
Does the Minister acknowledge the courts do not give due recognition to the offence of car thefts? It is not treated seriously. Does he propose to introduce legislation in this area?
Apart from Garda powers to seize motor vehicles pursuant to section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, there are a considerable number of hefty sanctions available to the courts, depending on the gravity of the offence. The theft of a motor vehicle would constitute one offence, whereas the use of a motor car to commit another crime would constitute a second offence, and so on.
I am satisfied with the sanctions that are available; I do not believe that is the difficulty. The stinger gardaí use intermittently, where appropriate and having regard for public safety, is proving very effective and I am sure it will continue to do so. The provision of a helicopter to the Garda Síochána has been of enormous benefit. I anticipate the greater use of a Garda helicopter will over time prove extremely successful in preventing the unlawful or unauthorised taking of motor vehicles because it will be in a position to identify the motor vehicle on the ground and to engage in pursuit.
Does the Minister propose to increase resources to the Garda for extra four wheel patrol vehicles? They have proved a major asset to the gardaí in traffic, at checkpoints, etc., and in tracing stolen vehicles.
Dr. Upton
Has the Minister specific plans to deal with people who steal cars to order and to deal with those who subsequently use them as part of the process?
Earlier this year the Government provided the Garda Síochána with a number of new jeeps and motor vehicles which have proved most effective. In the context of the forthcoming Estimates I intend to provide the Garda with additional resources where these are required in the battle against crime. That would include the problem of joyriding. This practice is tortuous for communities around the country and they want it ended. It should be possible to make an impact on this activity in the not too distant future. I am sure the provision of further resources would assist in this respect. With regard to Deputy Upton's question, it is an offence to steal a mechanically propelled vehicle irrespective of whether it is stolen to fulfil an order or not.