Overall crime level falls but thefts still on the up in Galway

The amount of crime committed in Galway County has fallen this year across a broad spectrum of categories, including burglaries, public order offences and assaults, but the recession and Government austerity has resulted in continued increases in thefts.  

There was a broad welcome for the reduction in crime reported at this week’s County Galway Joint Policing Committee although there was concern expressed at the increases in thefts from persons, thefts from vehicles and from shops. 

Thefts from vehicles were up 2.3% to 174 incidents between January and the end of October; thefts from the person rose by 88% to 17; and thefts from shops rose by 28% to 171 incidents. Some 394 ‘other’ thefts were recorded in the county, a reduction of 6%. 

Chief Superintendent, Tom Curley, told the meeting that there was no real trend in the thefts – they included thefts from shops of cosmetics, food and beverages and clothing.

He said in times of recession and austerity, there is an increase in the reported thefts – this was happening nationally, he said, and is mirrored in Galway. 

Overall crime is down by about a fifth in County Galway from January to the end of October 2013, according to Chief Supt Curley’s Garda report. 

It showed there were 5,575 incidents of crime during that ten months period, a reduction of 21.6% compared with the same period last year. 

He said it was notable that burglaries had fallen by 15%, down to 342 although he said there was no room for complacency. Galway Gardaí will continue to strive for increased detections of burglaries and the public’s assistance was essential.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.