Extra gardaí will be on the beat this Christmas

BANDON-based Chief Supt Con Cadogan has been asked to produce exact figures showing the number of garda manpower per 1,000 head of population in each of the three garda divisions of Cork West, Cork North and Cork city.

The call was made by Diarmuid Cronin of Muintir na Tire at a joint policing committee meeting at County Hall in Cork on Monday, after several councillors complained about the lack of garda manpower in their areas.

The chief superintendent – who was, at the same time, applauded for his detailed breakdown of crime stats in each of these areas – confirmed that the manpower figures would be presented at the next committee meeting.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also attended the meeting and confirmed that a total of 24 newly trained gardaí would be assigned ‘on a temporary basis to Cork for this month to deal with anti-social behaviour.’  He also confirmed that eight new permanent garda appointments have been made in the city division.

As part of the national policing plan, Commissioner Harris said: ‘There will be no diminution of the service. We are not looking to close any stations we have.’

He said the plan is aimed at back office restructuring, adding to the command service in terms of sergeants and inspectors, adding specialisms into each of the divisions, and bolstering the community policing teams. As part of the restructuring, Commissioner Harris said 66 gardaí in Cork have already been reassigned to frontline duties. ‘Crime is changing, there is more online crime, but we are also finding an increase in crime related to vulnerability, such as domestic violence and human trafficking, and serious sexual assault,’ he added.