Vol. 455 No. 8
299 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to growing concern regarding the change in the nature of theft in retail shops in recent times, ranging from the quick snatch theft to extremely violent, carefully planned theft which often results either in staff or the perpetrator receiving physical injuries sometimes requiring hospitalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13183/95]
I dealt with this matter in some detail when I answered an oral question in this House on 8 June last. As I stated then the Garda authorities are aware of the extent of the problem facing retail shopkeepers and their staff, and have assured me that they are taking appropriate action to tackle the problem including targeting certain areas where the highest incidence of this type of crime occurs.
Measures aimed at preventing crime are also vitally important in tackling the problem. An initiative in this area is the business watch scheme which was launched in February 1994. The scheme is a crime prevention programme on the lines of the neighbourhood watch scheme and enlists the help of the local business community in co-operation with the Garda. Preliminary indications are that these measures are proving very effective in dealing with this type of crime. Provisional figures for 1995, to date, indicate that this type of crime has decreased significantly compared with the same period in 1994.
