Mind your stuff when having fun, say gardai

By Mary Dennehy

GARDAI at Tallaght have encouraged young people to mind themselves and their personal property when out socialising, and to be aware that alcohol makes it easier for someone to become a victim of crime, reports Mary Dennehy.

As part of a national An Garda Siochana campaign called Mind Your Stuff, calls have been made locally for young people to mind themselves, their friends and their property while out socialising – especially in light of St Patrick’s Day.

According to An Garda Siochana, €2.5m worth of mobile phones were stolen in 2016, with three out of four thefts being from a victim aged between 18 and 39.

The campaign also reminds people that 40 per cent of all thefts and robberies took place on a street, road or footpath, with 20 per cent taking place in a licenced premises or restaurant.

Garda Mark Redmond, Tallaght Garda Station’scrime prevention officer, this week told The Echo: “A lot of young people who suffer crime have been drinking beforehand. 

“When a person is under the influence of alcohol it’s easier for them to be exploited, it’s easier for their bag or phone to be robbed, or for them to be assaulted.

“We’re asking people to be sensible when they’re drinking. So often young people out on the lash come into our custody here at Tallaght because they have lost the ability to look after themselves.

“Thieves are opportunistic, they’re watching out for people who are drunk or vulnerable, and if they see an opportunity they will react to it.”

He added: “We’re asking young people to manage their alcohol intake and to make a plan for getting home on a night out.
“Watch out for friends and if they have had enough, get them home out of harm’s way.

“Don’t get isolated from your friends and protect your personal property, keep your phone and bag close.

“Basically, we encourage young people not to lose control of their ability to look after themselves and never make it easy for people to exploit you.”

Garda Redmond also advised people to record the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number on their phone, which makes it easier for officers to return a lost or stolen phone to its owner.

Unique to each phone, the IMEI number stays on the device even if a new SIM card is changed.

Each phone’s individual 15-digit IMEI number can be found on the back of each handset under the battery or by pressing *#06# on your phone keypad – with the IMEI appearing on the screen.