Thefts fall 20% due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but drug and weapons-related crimes increase

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has caused robberies in Ireland to drop more than 20% in the first three quarters of the year.

Newly released figures from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) show that the public health emergency has affected almost all criminal areas, and that the number of robberies, robberies, extortion and kidnapping has drastically decreased.

However, there were also increases in some serious crime categories, including murder and drug and gun crime.

CSO statistics show that robberies fell by 3,385 (20.4%) during the same period as last year. Robbery and related crimes were also reduced by 12,183 (17.7%) and robbery, extortion and kidnapping crimes were reduced by 281 (12%).

There were also notable declines in the number of sex crimes, which fell by 12%, as well as assassination attempts and threats, assaults and harassment, which fell by almost 8%.

Property damage crimes were reduced by over 9%, while public order crimes were reduced by almost 8%.

Despite the drop in assassination attempts, the number of homicide crimes recorded was 74, five more than last year.

Drug crimes increased by 1,818 (8.7%), while weapons and explosives crimes increased by 332, an increase of more than 12%.

Reports of false incarcerations increased by almost a third to 115 incidents.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said statistics show a general and welcome decline in many crime categories.

“An Garda Síochána has played a vital role in supporting communities during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Of course, crime has not stopped and criminals are still looking for opportunities to exploit.

“In addition to supporting public health regulations, Gardaí has ​​shown its determination to continue preventing and detecting crimes with significant seizures and arrests for drugs, organized crime, robberies and driving drugs and alcohol,” he added.

The minister said that the increase in drug and weapons-related crimes is due to a higher degree of detection through targeted campaigns against organized crime and random controls.

“In the first six months of 2020, Garda operations to counter organized crime resulted in the seizure of 13.6 million euros in illicit drugs, 13 firearms and 2,000 rounds of ammunition,” he said.