Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
19. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if consideration has been given to tackle the upsurge in car robberies and subsequent anti-social behaviour across the city and in particular imported cars; the number of stolen cars reported and the amount of convictions for same in tabular form. [7421/23]
View answerThe Government firmly supports An Garda Síochána in its continued commitment to combatting criminal and anti-social behaviour. [Car theft is an invasive crime that impacts people right across Ireland.]
The Garda authorities advise me that local Garda management continue to monitor crime trends across their respective Divisions, including incidents of vehicle theft. I understand that when specific crime trends/pattern are identified, local management consider measures in addition to routine policing responses, including location-specific patrols, intelligence-led operations, and searches and arrests.
The Courts Service advise me that conviction statistics are not maintained in such a way to enable the identification of the type of property, including stolen cars, under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 421 reported incidents of ‘Theft / Unauthorised Taking of a Vehicle’ in January 2023 compared to 361 in January 2022, an increase of 17%. This increase aligns to the general increase of crime trends following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The Garda analysis indicates an increase in the theft of imported cars to be utilised for criminal behaviour such as joy riding, and also shows an increase in the theft of high value cars. However, the Garda authorities have had recent success in the investigation and recovery of vehicles, including investigations linked to organised crime activities.
I am further advised that Garda Crime Prevention Officers liaise with local media to promote effective preventative measures, including information about how to ‘Park Smart / Secure your Vehicle’. The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit have identified a three-pronged approach to further tackle this developing crime trend:
1) seeking to raise national public awareness through Crimecall;
2) adding additional security advice to the Garda webpage;
3) raising awareness through the network of Crime Prevention Officers around the country.
