20 percent drop in Tuam crime figures

Superintendent Pat McHugh has told the Joint Policing Committee of Tuam Town Council, that there was a drop of 18 per cent in crime figures from January to October, compared with the same period in 2012.

Serious assaults were down by 25 per cent to nine this year and while there were 39 Section 2 less serious assaults this also showed a similar drop on last year’s figures.

There were 74 arrests for Public Order Offences, down by nine per cent and 53 cases of criminal damage to vehicles represented a 12 per cent drop. Burglaries were also down as were thefts from cars and while there were four reported instances of counterfeit €50 notes in Tuam in recent weeks three were detected.

Thefts from shops were up by 35 per cent but Superintendent McHugh spoke of setting up a business watch and a text alert system involving the traders and Gardai. He also said that there is to be greater use of the Galway Drugs Unit in Tuam between now and Christmas after seizures of drugs worth over €2.5 million in this Garda District and a number of arrests so far this year.

But the number of people arrested for drunk driving was up by 27 per cent on last year with many of those drivers breathalysed in the mornings.

Mayor Imelda Kelly and town Councillors complimented Superintendent McHugh and the Gardai on a very comprehensive report with many positives for law and order in the area.