Crime Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 April 2007

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

Questions (141)

John Perry

Question:

170 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if personnel from headquarters are visiting all Garda districts reclassifying offences where no activity occurred on a case; if he will confirm that the mildest interpretation of the offence is taken regardless of the victim; the way these reclassifications will be reflected when crime statistics as serious offences will be downgraded to minor offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12385/07]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that crime incidents are recorded on the PULSE crime recording system in accordance with the Garda crime counting rules, which are published in the Annual Reports of An Garda Síochána. The Garda Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Security has responsibility for ensuring that all crime reported is recorded in accordance with these rules.

Since autumn 2006, civilian staff at the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) in Castlebar record incidents on PULSE by taking reports from Gardaí using mobile telephony.