I would like to clarify the statistics for burglaries and aggravated burglary. The most up-to-date figures from the Central Statistics Office, which has the statutory responsibility for the production of crime statistics, are for 2011. The published figures indicate that recorded burglary and related offences increased by 7.9% last year. However, the figure for aggravated burglary, which is a subset of the overall burglary figure, shows no increase during that 12-month period. It is important to acknowledge that the latest crime statistics show a decrease in most types of crime during 2011, including homicide, assault, criminal damage and drug and public order offences. Taken together, this overall decrease represents a substantial achievement for law enforcement and crime prevention in Ireland.
I share the Deputy's concern at the incidence of burglaries and other property crimes. Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the fact that An Garda Síochána is responding effectively. The Deputy will be aware, in particular, of the recent announcement by the Garda Commissioner of a range of measures aimed at tackling gangs involved in burglaries. These measures are encompassed in Operation Fiacla, which is particularly focused on identifying and targeting mobile gangs involved in burglaries around the country so as to disrupt their activities and bring them before the courts. Specific burglary-related initiatives are being implemented in each Garda region in support of Operation Fiacla.
In respect of the situation in commuter counties, the available statistics indicate that the incidence of burglary is greatest in the Dublin metropolitan region and that commuter counties in the east and midlands generally have a higher incidence than other counties. This type of information is available to gardaí on a real-time basis and feeds into Operation Fiacla and other targeted policing operations, including the identification of crime trends, hot spots and the design of appropriate responses and deployment.
In addition to the concerted law enforcement efforts being pursued by An Garda Síochána, crime prevention is a key component in tackling burglary. In this regard, the Garda national crime prevention unit and crime prevention officers at divisional level provide advice, information and support to organisations, businesses and individuals aimed at reducing burglary and property crime.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
I am conscious of the deep distress which burglary can cause to householders, and the broader impact it can have in terms of fear of crime in our communities, and, therefore, I welcome the fact that the Garda Commissioner is deploying the substantial resources available to him in a targeted and strategic approach to confronting those who are engaging in this form of criminality.
