Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various forms of crime continue to be monitored and appropriate action taken to address any trends emerging in all areas throughout the country, urban and rural; if he has in mind any particular or specific strategies to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/13]
View answerAll crime trends are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and relevant policing strategies are designed and implemented as required. The Garda National Policing Plan for 2013, which I laid before the House last December, sets out the policing priorities and objectives for the current year. The Plan is designed to meet the policing needs of all communities, in urban and rural areas, including active community engagement in the development of policing strategies and concerted efforts to support and protect vulnerable sections of the community.
Under the Plan, An Garda Síochána also continues to vigorously tackle organised crime through a range of targeted activities designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations, including through the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist Garda units. Notwithstanding the challenges faced in tackling organised crime, week in week out the Garda are successfully bringing people involved in this type of criminality before the courts and a substantial number are presently serving sentences in prison.
Other examples of particular strategies adopted by the Gardai in recent times include Operation Fiacla which is particularly focused on identifying and targeting mobile gangs involved in burglaries. The latest quarterly figures from the Central Statistics Office for burglary suggest that Operation Fiacla is having an impact, when compared with the quarterly figures prior to its introduction, and I am hopeful that the success of the operation will be continue to be reflected in future crime statistics as they become available. I am informed that as of end February 2013, 4,226 persons have been arrested and 2,327 persons have been charged under Operation Fiacla, reflecting the extent of the operation and the impact it is having.
Gardaí also continue to work closely with all communities to enhance community safety through a wide range of local fora including the Joint Policing Committees and through community based initiatives such as Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch. There are over 1,300 local Community Alert groups around the country. The signing, in January this year, of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between An Garda Síochána and Muíntir na Tíre who administer the Community Alert programme further underlines the Garda commitment in this area. Furthermore a new Garda Community Crime Prevention Programmes booklet has been published to support the establishment and operation of Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch and similar local crime prevention initiatives.
Another area of concern has been the incidence of metal theft and, building on their existing crime prevention operations and advice, An Garda Síochána published a new Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan, on 6 February 2013. The Garda Plan was developed in close cooperation with stakeholders who participated in a metal theft forum and it is designed to provide for an effective and multi-agency response to the problem. The publication of the Garda Plan is an important first step in providing a strategic framework to tackle the rise of metal theft.
More generally, local Garda Management closely monitors patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in areas to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The situation is kept under review and paramount consideration is given to the needs of residents in our communities. Garda Management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to communities and that current structures in place meet the requirements of the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service.
