This article is from page 3 of the 2006-04-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE rate of burglaries in the Clare Garda Division increased last year, but there was a drop in the number of assaults, sexual offences and public order incidents, according to latest crime figures.
Statistics obtained from the Department of Justice show that overall, reported crime has dropped by 16 per cent in Clare since 2003.
Some, 530 headline offences were committed last year, compared with 1,651 in 2004. The figure for 2003 was 1,820.
Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn said the reduction over the past two years was “significant.”
“While you have reductions in crime over two years, 2003 was a bit of a high, with 1,820 offences,” he said.
“There have been across-the-board reductions in assaults and sexual offences. Certainly here in Ennis, the trend has been downwards in relation to public order,” he added.
“Burglary will always be a concern. We have had a number of incidents of arson and stabbings in Kilrush, which have largely been brought under control, as a result of operations in that area,” he said.
Approximately one-third of all headline crimes are detected in Clare every year, which is along the lines of the national average.
Clare TD James Breen (Ind) has expressed concerned at the increased availability of drugs in Clare.
He said a lack of hobbies for young people was at the root of the problem.
“The temptation to experiment is great. In Shannon, for instance, there is no cinema and no disco and Kilrush is the same way.
“If we are to address the problem, we have to put the facilities in place for young people.
“Young people have nothing, no pastimes.
“They are standing idly by corners with nothing to do,” he said.
He said ecstasy and cannabis resin were widely available and that young people as young as six, should be educated on the dangers of drugs.
“The gardaí are under-resourced. The sooner the Minister for Justice gives the extra resources to deal with drugs, the better,” he said.