29/06/2012

Minister Welcomes Continued Reduction In Most Types Of Crime

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) today published the recorded crime statistics for the 12 month period ending with the first quarter of 2012.

Speaking on publication, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD, welcomed the decrease in 12 of the 14 crime groups for which figures are given, compared with the previous 12 months.

Minister Shatter said: "The continued reduction in nearly all categories of recorded crime reflects well on Garda measures to prevent and combat crime. Notwithstanding the many pressures faced, the Commissioner and his officers are clearly using their resources to good effect."

In particular, crimes against the person are down including assault and related offences (down 8.7%), sexual offences (down 12.4%) and kidnapping (down 21.9%). There has also been a small reduction in the number of murders (down 2%).

Public order and damage to property offences are also down (by 14.7 and 11.3% respectively), as are weapons and explosives offences (down 18.7%).

The Minister also noted the substantial reduction in the number of cases of dangerous driving leading to death (down 51.6%) and dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm (down 52.9%).

While overall drug offences are down 8.9%, detections of drug importation are up by 22.6%. The major drug seizures which took place earlier this week are not of course included in these figures but the CSO figures reflect the ongoing work of An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service to disrupt drug supply and confront organised criminals.

"I want to again pay tribute to the determination and resourcefulness of the Gardai and the Customs Service in tackling the activities of major players in the drugs trade. They have our full support and particularly the support of communities who bear the brunt of the harm which illicit drugs cause."

(CD/GK)

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