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Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (75)

Seán Haughey

Question:

75. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which car thefts are a growing problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16087/22]

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Oral answers (6 contributions)

Táim ag tógáil na ceiste seo ar son an Teachta Haughey. To what extent is car theft a growing problem right across the country, particularly in my constituency, on the north side of Cork city?

I thank the Deputy, who consistently raises issues with regard to the protection and safety of his constituency of Cork North-Central. The budget provided by the Government to the Garda Commissioner has increased to unprecedented levels with more than €2 billion allocated this year, including funding for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff. This is a significant investment and demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe. To this end, the Deputy will be aware that a Garda recruitment campaign closed earlier this month and I am delighted to note that there was strong interest with over 10,000 applications received.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Central Statistics Office publishes reported crime figures under reservation quarterly. These figures include the category of theft or taking of a vehicle and related offences and indicate that the lowest annual volumes of car theft in over a decade were reported nationwide during 2020 and 2021. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following the lifting of pandemic restrictions this year, there has been a return to a more normal level of reported offences. The figures to date are akin to those from 2019 in many areas.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the organisation's approaches to preventing and investigating criminal activity. I am advised that local Garda management continues to monitor trends in crime, including incidents of unauthorised taking of vehicles, across divisions. I understand that, when specific crime trends or patterns are identified, local management considers additional measures outside of normal policing responses including location-specific patrols, intelligence-led operations and searches and arrests to combat known individuals involved in such crimes. As the Deputy will appreciate, these measures are best implemented on a local basis and this is an operational decision for the Garda.

I am also advised that there is ongoing co-operation between detective and uniformed units to combat the recent escalation in crimes and that both high-visibility and covert patrols are proactively being conducted. Furthermore, the Garda Síochána analysis service assists with data analysis to monitor crime trends.

It needs to be acknowledged that the Garda Commissioner does have a budget of more than €2 billion at his disposal now. In addition to that, the 1,200 new trainees and staff members are most welcome and will obviously help to battle crime generally right across the country. On the specific question of car theft, approximately 10,000 vehicles a year are either stolen or broken into. The equivalent estimated figure in the UK is approximately 110,000. Cars being broken into is therefore quite a prevalent problem.

In his response, the Minister of State indicated that there had been a lull during the period of the Covid pandemic and that the figures are now returning to their pre-pandemic levels. It is unfortunate that, despite all of the investment and the record budget of more than €2 billion, we are now returning to those figures. I welcome Operation Joyrider and the Park Smart campaign with regard to securing vehicles but I would appreciate it if the Minister of State would give me access to the numbers.

I can tell the Deputy that there was a significant drop in the number of reported incidents of car theft nationally from 2015 to 2016 with the number of reported offences dropping by 29%. Numbers then remained quite stable until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the number of reported cases dropped by a further 21% in 2020 compared with the 2019 figure. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of car thefts in many areas to date in 2022 has reflected the level seen in 2019. However, it is important to note that the levels seen in these years immediately prior to the pandemic were themselves significantly lower than those seen as recently as 2015. The number of instances of the theft or taking of a vehicle or related offences in 2019 was 6,450. By 2017, this figure had dropped to 4,594. In 2018 and 2019, the figures were slightly over the 4,700 mark but the figure dropped considerably in 2020 during the pandemic when it was a little easier to identify people who were out and about and engaged in nefarious carry-on.

Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Aire Stáit. The real motivation behind putting down this question was not just to get a picture of the number of vehicles stolen because the vast majority, something like 80%, of stolen vehicles are recovered within 48 hours. The motivation was also to get a picture of the number of vehicles that are just broken into or from which people's possessions are stolen. Whether the cars in question are parked overnight or outside of churches or cemeteries or whatever the case may be, a litany of offences are occurring right across the country. I know Deputy Haughey initially tabled this question but I again ask whether the Minister of State could give me figures specific to the Cork city division later or whenever he gets an opportunity. I would appreciate that. I would also appreciate any such figures including details of the number of catalytic convertors stolen from vehicles. Is it the Minister of State's intention to develop any national co-ordinated plan or strategy to combat this scourge?

I thank the Deputy very much. I will certainly get figures on the number of car thefts in north Cork city for the Deputy. With regard to tackling the issue of the theft of catalytic convertors, we are very conscious of the impact such thefts from car owners have. It seems to be a particularly prevalent issue for the owners of specific types of hybrid vehicles. Perhaps such cars are a little bit vulnerable to having their catalytic convertors stolen. Such thefts are, of course, related to the current high market price of the metal palladium. I assure the Deputy that a very robust and co-ordinated approach is taken in addressing all types of theft in this country and particularly the theft of vehicles. I will get those specific figures for the Deputy.

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