Thefts from cars have doubled

Gardaí have issued a reminder to car owners in Galway to lock their vehicles at night amid a spike in the incidence of theft.

At a meeting of the City Joint Policing Committee (JPC), figures for property crime increased – with theft from vehicles up 15% in the first two months of the year compared to 2021.

The reopening of shops following the end of Covid-19 restrictions has brought with it the return of thieves, with figures for theft from shops up 132% in the same period – rising from 41 in the first two months of last year to 95 in January and February of 2022.

Theft more generally increased significantly too, up 183% to 34 in for the first part of this year.

Superintendent Damien Flanagan said theft from cars was on the increase, particularly on the west side of the city and in Knocknacarra.

“A lot of people are still leaving their vehicles open at night and they are being rifled through,” he said.

Referring to the surge in theft from shops, Supt Flanagan said: “More people are moving around since Covid restrictions lifted. With theft from shops, they tend to be detected almost immediate so detection in that area is very high.”

Cllr Níall McNelis (Lab), Chairperson of the JPC, said opportunists were only waiting to pounce on unlocked vehicles and suggested a publicity campaign should be launched to remind people to secure their cars.

“It might be useful if we could create a flyer or leaflet, and for the message to be shared online, to encourage people to lock their cars at night time,” he said.

The JPC also heard that 255 bicycles had been reported stolen in the city over the past two years.

On foot of a question from Cllr McNelis, it was revealed that 161 such thefts were recorded in 2020, and a further 94 last year.

Gardaí outlined that they seek to return recovered bicycles using the unique serial number located on the frame of the bike.

“The details of the serial number together with the description of the pedal cycle including colour, markings and wheel type are matched to the Garda PULSE system to pedal cycles reported stolen.

“It is essential that all pedal cycle owners take note of the unique serial number of their pedal cycle as it enables the clear identification of the pedal cycle.”

The City Council stated that abandoned bikes on racks around the city are left in situ for two months before being removed by wardens.

After that, they are taken away and held in storage while Gardaí are notified of the bikes’ details. After six weeks unclaimed, they are sent for upcycling.

Cllr McNelis described the two-month wait to remove the bikes as ‘quite staggering’.

“I think that’s too long and they are taking up valuable bicycle parking spaces – and in some cases creating a trip hazard,” he said.