Division sees 50% fall in burglaries

By Siobhán Cronin

THE Cork West garda division saw a fall of over 50% in burglaries in the last three months of 2015, according to statistics published by home security provider PhoneWatch.

The figures show that the division recorded just 32 burglaries in the last quarter of last year.

PhoneWatch has produced a graphic revealing the number of burglaries reported in every garda station in Ireland, based on garda figures for 2015. The interactive map allows users to click on a station name and see the actual number of burglaries, and the percentage increase or decrease, during the year.

The figures show that in West Cork, 15 garda stations saw their burglary reporting rate down, and ten stations saw a rise. Three stations recorded no change.

The most dramatic falls were in Kilbrittain and Drinagh (both recorded 4 burglaries in 2014, and none last year), and Ballingeary which saw 2 burglaries in 2014 and none last year.

The most significant increases were in Innishannon – which saw the 2014 figure of four double to eight last year, and Crookstown – which went from three burglaries reported in 2014, to seven in 2015.The most number of burglaries reported was in Bandon, which at 20 last year, actually reported a drop, from 21 the previous year.

Kinsale had 18 burglaries reported last year, up one on the figure of 17 in 2014.

Commeting on the figures, Clonakilty-based Supt Ger O’Mahony said the overall figure for 2015 showed a 22% fall on the previous year, which itself had fallen since 2013. ‘We’re very pleased with this significant reduction,’ he told The Southern Star.

He added that the gardai were satisfied that the impressive figures did not reflect a fall in the number of people reporting crime. ‘We actually find the opposite – that people are very diligent about reporting crime.’

He attributed the good figures to a range of factors, including the CCTV schemes – in almost every town in West Cork – which were proving to be both effective in detection and prevention. But other initiatives, like the Community Alert schemes, Operation Thor, text alerts, and the IFA scheme theftstop.ie, were all helping, he added.

For a full set of statistics, see www.phonewatch.ie/crimestats/