90% increase in incidents of theft in first four months
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A 90 per cent increase in incidents of theft in Tallaght in the first four months of this year can be attributed, in part, to people driving off without paying at petrol stations, according to figures released by gardaí for Tallaght Garda Station at the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.
Seventy instances of theft (other) were recorded over the same time period last year, but from January to April of this year there were 133 instances.
Tallaght garda station
Increases were also recorded in the categories of possession of a firearm, which has doubled from two last year to four this year, while instances of fraud and deception are up by 40 per cent, with 54 instances being recorded last year and 76 being recorded this year.
There was a 27 per cent increase in instances of possession of offensive weapons in Tallaght, 19 instances were recorded in the first four months of this year, compared to 15 over the same time period last year.
In a comment alongside the figures for instances of the possession of offensive weapons, the gardaí stated: “An increase of patrols and our stop-and-search policy of persons and vehicles has resulted in a significant increase in the detection of persons possessing offensive weapons.”
Incidents of robbery from the person were up by 38 per cent, with 21 instances in the first four months of last year and 29 this year, with gardaí clarifying that “many of these incidents include fast food delivery drivers”.
Theft from person, which includes the theft of smartphones, cash, wallets and handbags, has remained static with 15 instances over the same time period both last year and this year, while instances of burglary are up, with 125 being recorded this year, compared to 106 last year.
Theft from motor vehicles is up by 10 per cent, with 81 instances being recorded last year and 89 instances being recorded this year, and the gardaí commented that “car owners leave items clearly on display and also, at times, leave cars unlocked, especially in carparks with no supervision”.
Robbery from establishments has increased by 17 per cent in the first four months of this year, 12 instances were recorded last year while 14 were recorded this year, and there has been an eight per cent increase in theft from shops, with 156 instances taking place last year, compared to 169 this year.
Decreases were recorded in the categories of assault causing harm, which is down by eight per cent, aggravated burglary, which is down by 25 per cent, and assault (minor) which has shown a decrease of six per cent.
There has been a one per cent reduction in public order offences, a seven per cent reduction in possession of drugs for personal use and a 28 per cent reduction in searches under the Drugs Act.
Instances of criminal damage, including acts of vandalism on cars and damaging wheelie bins, are up by 11 per cent, theft/unauthorised taking of a vehicle is up by 10 per cent, and possession of drugs for sale or supply is up by 19 per cent.
