Fear of robbery is primary concern for Clondalkin businesses, survey reveals

By Maurice Garvey

FEAR of robbery is the primary concern of business owners in Clondalkin village who responded to a survey carried out by Clondalkin Garda Station.

The survey was sent out to 122 businesses in the village area in March, and received a high response of close to 85 per cent.

As a result of the survey, a Clondalkin village business watch was established this week at a meeting in the Green Isle Hotel.

Both gardai and businesses hope the network will lead to improved security and sharing of information.

The village business watch follows the establishment last year of a business watch for retailers in Bawnogue, Greenpark, Woodford, Old Nangor and Kingswood shopping centres.

Clondalkin Superintendent Brendan Connolly commissioned the village business survey, which was carried out by community garda Stephen Lydon.

Another aspect of concern for businesses at the meeting on Tuesday night, was general anti-social behaviour.

Mill Shopping Centre management reported difficulty in dealing with “high volumes” of up to 60 youths, who congregate at the centre carpark on a weekly basis, causing distress for elderly shoppers.

Inspector Andy Tuite, from Ballyfermot Garda Station, who was standing in for Supt Connolly at the meeting, said Clondalkin village was “on the cusp of something great” citing the imminent opening of the new Round Tower visitor centre.

Insp Tuite highlighted the “indispensable” value of CCTV within Clondalkin village, which is monitored at the garda station and effective, with 11 people apprehended over the last year for public order offences in the village.

Sergeant Vincent Connolly, a crime prevention officer with Dublin Metro West, is also involved in the Clondalkin business watch networks, and said the new visitor centre was an ideal opportunity for village retailers to benefit from tourism.

He advised businesses to use time locks on safes, have strict banking till limits, and position their best CCTV camera at the front door – deemed to be the most vulnerable point of entry.

“It can be hard to keep an eye out for criminals because we are so busy in our lives, but they have all day to wait and watch,” he said.

Sgt Connolly urged business watch networks to establish a WhatsApp group, in order to share information with each other.

Advice during a robbery is CO-OP – co-operate, obey, observe (details/tattoos/ accents/direction) and preserve (seal off the crime scene).

The Clondalkin Village Business Watch will meet up each quarter, but businesses are urged to contact Garda Lydon with any concerns they may have at any stage.