Neale Richmond
Question:
195. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the initiatives that have been taken by An Garda Síochána to tackle knife crime on a divisional basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6318/21]
View answer
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question (No. 195 of 4 February 2021) where you sought: “….the initiatives that have been taken by An Garda Síochána to tackle knife crime on a divisional basis…”.
It is important to note that knife crime incidents are rare in our society. The Government, and I as Minister, are committed to ensuring that the problems that we have seen in neighbouring jurisdictions do not repeat themselves here. As you will be aware, under the recently published Justice Plan 2021, my Department will review existing Garda powers in relation to dangerous weapons, including knives, to ensure they have the necessary legal tools to protect our communities.
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the report was to hand.
The report is now to hand and I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána’s Assault in Public Reduction Strategy 2019-2021 is currently in operation to tackle all types of assaults in public.
The Strategy is a pro-arrest, early-investigation and high-visibility approach to assault reduction nationally. It places particular emphasis on prevention, education and awareness. The Strategy promotes early prosecution of offenders where feasible and appropriate.
There are five key strategic principles underpinning the Strategy for the reduction of assaults:
1. Protecting People and Communities
2. Awareness and Education as a Crime Prevention Technique
3. Policing Operational Efficiency
4. Location Management by Working In Partnership
5. Offender Management
Each of these principles have specific associated goals and objectives and ultimately are about how best to protect our communities from assaults, to raise awareness on the devastating effects this type of crime through education and the media and increasing operational policing efficiency and the use of location and offender management.
A particular objective of the strategy is to “increase the number of lawful searches in public of persons suspected of carrying weapons or sharp instruments including knives”. Figures relating to the offence of “Possession of Offensive Weapons” are monitored monthly on a National and Divisional level.
Furthermore, intelligence-led policing effectively identifies hotspots where assaults and public order offences occur. This informs the deployment of resources and the appropriate level of policing visibility in the relevant locations during at risk periods to deter the commission of assaults.
Education and awareness of the impact of carrying weapons, disorderly behaviour and violence is a key crime prevention initiative. An Garda Síochána will work with key stakeholders within communities to deliver this education and awareness and drive crime prevention.
On 15 April, Minister McEntee and I launched a new Youth Justice Strategy to cover the period up to 2026. A key priority for this new Strategy is to strengthen and expand the role of the Garda Youth Diversion Projects and other community-based initiatives, including those working with the Probation Service. Bringing the full range of relevant interventions together in a coherent and holistic response to youth crime will support the objective of diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour, including knife crime.
I hope this information is of assistance.
