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Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (988)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1003 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the latest figures published by the Central Statistics Office which show that burglaries increased by 8% in 2011; the measures he will take to ensure that this rise in burglaries is not repeated in 2012; how he expects the number of burglaries to be reduced when funding for community alert groups has been reduced and while he continues his regime of closing rural Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/12]

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Written answers

I am, of course, concerned at the increase in number of burglaries in 2011, while noting that for most crime groups, including robbery, the most recent statistics indicate a decline in recorded crime.

All crime trends are monitored closely by Garda management, with intelligence-led initiatives put in place to target burglary and other criminality. An Garda Síochána is currently developing a new Burglary Prevention and Reduction Strategy which will provide a strategic framework for preventing and reducing burglaries in Ireland. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has recently announced the introduction of a wide range of measures as part of a new operation aimed at tackling gangs involved in burglaries.

In terms of prevention, the National Crime Prevention Unit (NCPU) and Crime Prevention Officers at divisional level provide advice, information and support to organisations, businesses and individuals aimed at reducing burglary crime and the opportunity to commit burglary. These specially trained officers are skilled at identifying environmental design risks and advise on ways to reduce opportunities to commit burglary and other property crime. The NCPU has designed a number of crime prevention advice leaflets including advice on home security and burglary prevention through a step by step checklist. These leaflets and the checklist are available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

During 2012, the national ‘Garda Supporting Safer Communities Campaign' will continue to highlight key issues, in particular burglary prevention. The primary objective of this Garda Community Safety Campaign is to engage with, and raise awareness within communities of initiatives aimed at preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and promoting community safety. The first campaign will take place in early May and the second will take place in September.

The Crime Call TV programme, broadcast once a month, to an average audience of 400,000 viewers, is often utilised to specifically target the issue of burglary prevention. Practical crime prevention advice will continue to be given to highlight the most effective security measures householders can take to deter burglars.

The National Model of Community Policing is directed and supported each year by the Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan which ascribes current key actions which govern policing priorities at a national level. Each Garda District and Divisional Officer also configures their policing response to local conditions to ensure that an appropriate policing service is continuously delivered to rural areas.

Community policing utilises a number of crime prevention programmes to encourage active participation with the public. An Garda Síochána, along with programme partners Muintir na Tíre, has established 1,345 Community Alert groups in rural Ireland. Funding totalling €160,000 was provided by my Department to Community Alert in 2011. The work of Community Alert continues to be highly valued and decisions on the precise level of funding which may be provided by my Department in 2012 will be made in the context of the available resources.

In so far as the closure of Garda stations is concerned, when preparing the Policing Plan for 2011 the Garda Commissioner reviewed all aspects of An Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda station in their area. It must be stressed that the key objective of the station closures is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than secure modest cash savings. In this context the Commissioner has concluded that Garda resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the frontline if a particular station no longer had to be staffed and maintained.

For the Government's part, we will do everything we can to support the gardaí in their work, to provide resources as public finances permit, and to respond to any legislative needs that are identified.

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