23% Drop In Burglaries Between November And December - Gardaí

A Gardaí operation during November and December last year resulted in a drop in the number of burglaries nationally, according to new figures.

An Garda Síochána has revealed the Winter Phase of Operation Thor saw the level of burglaries reported drop by 23%, with 40% less reported in December for the South Eastern Region compared to October.

Over the same period, 29% less burglaries were reported in the Eastern Region, 25% less in the Western Region, 22% less in the Southern Region, 18% less in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), and 15% less in the Northern Region.

The Winter Phase of Operation Thor involves the undertaking of targeted enforcement and preventative activity, designed to prevent potential burglars from exploiting the reduced hours of daylight between November 2017 to April 2018.

A key part of the Operation has been the targeting of organised crime gangs involved in burglaries. In recent weeks' members of Organised Criminal Gangs have been arrested on a number of occasions in circumstances where high powered 'get-away' vehicles were identified and intercepted.

An Garda Síochána said the fact that 10 targets recently arrested in the course of Operation Thor have accumulated a total of 155 criminal convictions reflects the extent of the challenge in tackling the criminality involved.

Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, John O'Driscoll said: "We are particularly aware of the vulnerability of older people for whom a burglary can be a very traumatic experience and we are determined to identify and apprehend those who exploit their vulnerability.

"The positive start to the Winter Phase of Operation Thor is encouraging and we intend achieving more success throughout the remaining months."

Earlier this week, Assistant Commissioner O'Driscoll met with the most senior detectives in each Garda region to review activity undertaken to date under Operation Thor and plan additional actions to be taken in 2018.

(LM)