Burglaries decrease in Tipperary

The number of burglaries recorded in the Tipperary Garda Division has decreased.

Nenagh Superintendent Robert Noonan briefed a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee (JPC) recently. Figures for January to September 2015 indicate that the number of burglaries in Tipperary is down on that of last year, he said.
A total of 509 burglaries were recorded in Tipperary last year. Supt Noonan added that burglary detection rates in Tipperary are relatively high too at 19%. The national rate is 13%.
But thefts from vehicles has become a significant issue in Tipperary in 2015. Supt Noonan revealed that there were 236 thefts from vehicles between January and September compared to 199 in all of last year.
Gardaí have encouraged people not to leave valuable belongings visible in their cars, or to at least conceal such items in the boot. But the message does not seem to be getting across to many people, Supt Noonan said. There have been numerous incidents where cars have been targeted at weddings and funerals, criminals reasoning that they are likely to find money or valuable equipment. Cars parked at remote areas where people go walking have also been targeted.
Among other statistics, Supt Noonan informed the meeting that there were 254 incidents of people driving under the influence of an intoxicant in 2015 compared 278 in 2014. He could not say what portion of these related to drug driving. He said a better comparative analysis of the year's crime figures would be provided  to the JPC in early 2016.
Asked whether there are enough gardaí to adequately police the Tipperary division, Supt Noonan said the gardaí could always do with more resources but the same is true of almost every organisation. He welcomed that the embargo on recruiting gardaí has been lifted and looked forward to new investments bearing fruit, and said the local force is managing as best it can with current resources.
Cllr Michael Smith (FF) asked if a mistake had been made in the recent closure of 139 garda stations nationally. The closures had saved only €500,000 but were an enormous cost to the peace of mind of people living rural areas, people who do feel safe without a garda presence, Cllr Smith said.
Supt Noonan appreciated that the permanent garda is missed from many rural areas but did not agree that the closure of stations has had as big an impact as has been made out. A lot of stations were effectively closed long before they were officially closed, and the gardaí have managed to maintain a presence at rural locations, even if only for short period each day.
The superintendent added that the Community Text Alert schemes have proven a very effective tool in tackling crime in rural areas. The schemes have raised awareness among people of suspicious acitivity in their community and of how to react.