Garda fuel theft warning

The number of non-aggravated burglaries in the Tipperary Garda Division increased this year, up 37% (113 to 155 incidents) in the case of residential and non-residential burglaries combined.

Chief Supt Derek Smart told a recent meeting of Tipperary Joint Policing Committee that gardaí have had a lot of success tackling roving gangs using the motorways in Tipperary; this has in some cases involved working with the PSNI where northern gangs have targeted businesses in Tipperary. The Garda Burglary Response Unit is working effectively in Tipperary.

Deputy Martin Browne asked the Chief Super if he was concerned that the increased cost of living could lead to more break-ins and thefts of home heating oil, and the likes of diesel stored in yards.

IFA representative Pat Carroll spoke of burglaries in rural areas, which sometimes go unreported and unnoticed if, for example, only a small amount of fuel is stolen. Mr Carroll suggested running a campaign to highlight the importance of reporting such crime.

Chief Supt Smart said the Community Text Alert system is very effective in tackling criminal gangs in rural areas and he encouraged people to get involved and report crimes.

"If I don't know about it, I can't task my units to deal with it," the Chief Superintendent said of reporting crime and suspicious activity. Public reports can become "the missing piece in the jigsaw" for gardaí in trying to tackle such types of crime, and people should not hesitate in picking up the phone in such circumstances. "Don't presume someone else is going to do it," Chief Supt Smart advised.

He was concerned about an increase of burglaries and fuel thefts, and urged residents to ensure that fuel tanks are locked and farmers to be wary of leaving machinery out in fields overnight. "A downturn in the economy usually sparks an increase in criminality," Chief Supt Smart warned. "No doubt there will be more thefts of fuel."