Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
11 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the recent Eircom PhoneWatch Burglary Report 2004, which found that burglaries cost householders a total of €58 million over a 12 month period, an increase of 11.5% over the previous year; his views on these figures; the steps being taken to combat the high level of burglaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32497/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is aware of the report in question. It is important to point out that it is unclear whether the figures in the report were compiled according to the strict legal definition of the offence of burglary, as is the case with the Garda figures, whether other household crimes were included, whether the figures relate to the company's clients only or whether the report takes account of the increase in the company's client base. While the report states that there has been an increase of 11.5% in the cost of burglaries to residential households, it claims that burglaries have decreased by 17.8% compared to the same 12 month period last year. It is important to clarify that the figures in question are not directly comparable to the statistics which the Garda publishes.
The Garda supports and fosters a number of crime prevention measures which have direct value for householders. Like other community based schemes, the neighbourhood watch scheme which was established in 1985 by the Garda enlists the voluntary help of the community in co-operation with the Garda. Some 2,300 neighbourhood watch schemes, involving over 350,000 households, are in operation throughout the country. The scheme is organised by the community relations section of the Garda. The community alert programme, which is part funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in partnership with Muintir na Tíre, is an example of a similar partnership of relevance to rural communities. The programme, which consists of over 1,110 schemes and covers almost 250,000 homes, has particular reference to the security of older persons.
The Minister has been informed by the Garda authorities that community gardaí are working in designated areas. Such gardaí meet representatives of local communities with a view to preventing and reducing the incidence of burglaries and anti-social behaviour. Policing plans in all areas are predicated on the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property, and the maintenance of an environment that is conducive to improving the quality of life of residents. The strategy is and will continue to be central to the delivery of an effective policing service.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
The House is aware that the National Crime Council has recommended the establishment of a national crime prevention model, including the recruitment of a dedicated crime prevention representative, and a sub-committee dedicated to tackling crime prevention, within city and county development boards. The council has also recommended that the implementation of the model should commence with a pilot scheme in three city and county development boards.
The Garda Síochána Bill 2004, which was published by the Minister on 17 February last, includes provision for the establishment of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. It allows for the issuing of guidelines by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, about the establishment and maintenance of the committees. The guidelines may include provision for the establishment of committees within the framework of city and county development boards and for their funding.
It is important that citizens should realise that the Garda Síochána is not and cannot be solely responsible for law enforcement in this jurisdiction. It relies on the ongoing and active support of the public to enable it to be at its most effective in its duties. Such support may involve the provision of information to the Garda by members of the public, or more general co-operation by members of the public with the Garda. All members of society have an active part to play in the fight against crime and a duty to do so.
The figures contained in the Eircom PhoneWatch report do not coincide with the figures published by the Garda Síochána. The Garda's reports contain the relevant figures for crimes which are reported to it. The figures published by Eircom PhoneWatch are more valuable and accurate because they are comparable to the figures contained in a household survey. The CSO's household survey, which was published earlier this year, showed that one in every 30 households has been burgled, that €58 million is taken every year, that Dublin is by far the most burgled area in Ireland and that goods and property worth approximately €3,600 are taken from homes during each burglary. Is there a case for asking the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to conduct a proper household survey on a regular basis so that we can acquire accurate figures for the number of burglaries which take place? Is it true that an inordinate proportion of the burglaries which are taking place at present is not reported? We do not get details of many of the goods which are stolen. Such crimes create a climate of fear among the residential population of the country.
I am satisfied that the current method of collating data is accurate. Burglaries have decreased by 17.8% this year, compared to the previous 12 months.
I do not refer only to burglaries which are reported, but to all burglaries. It is a completely different matter.
While I take the point that not all burglaries are reported, it should be emphasised that people are encouraged to report burglaries. The Garda and the Department have put in place a comprehensive set of initiatives to ensure that all cases are investigated properly. People do not have to report burglaries if they do not want to do so.
That is not a very clear explanation.
There is no need for a further type of——
Nothing is happening.
——data collection to complement what we already have.
I think there is.
The Minister is right to state that we do not need data collection, we need the true facts and figures. We have quoted figures which are reported and figures which are unreported. It is a simple fact that there are 10,000 additional crimes per year, or an extra 200 crimes per week, compared to 1997 or 1998, when the current Government took office for the first time. I do not think the Government has acknowledged that people are afraid in their homes. People used to leave the door open many years ago, but seven years ago they started to leave the key in the door. Now they bring the key to bed with them to ensure that it is not left anywhere near the door. We are not facing the fact that people are afraid that their houses will be burgled. New initiatives and schemes are needed to tackle these problems.
Extra gardaí are needed.
It is common in every town every week that three or four houses in a housing estate are burgled over the course of a single day. There are 200 additional crimes every week compared to seven years ago. What is the Government doing about it? We are not getting anywhere by comparing figures and referring to various reports. No action is being taken. Rather than hearing about new initiatives and ideas, we are being given quotes, percentages and figures.
I do not accept the figures cited by Deputy English.
I have given the facts.
There has been a reduction over the past 12 months in the number of burglaries throughout the country. That is a fact.
There are 10,000 additional crimes each year.
There is no point in——
We do not want to hear that old waffle.
There is no point in preaching what the Deputy is preaching given that crime levels have decreased considerably.
Decreased considerably since last year.
There are too many burglaries taking place because one is too many.
There are 200 more per week than there were when the Government took office.
