Theft from businesses in Offaly on the rise Joint Policing meeting hears

THEFT from businesses in Offaly is on the rise, a meeting of the Offaly Joint Policing Committee heard this week.

Chief Supt Anthony Lonergan reported that the figure had risen from 76 for the third quarter of 2022 to 102 for the same period this year.

The Chief Supt said: ''It affects business people and the economy of the country. It is something we are working on.'' He said that in another part of the division, the Gardai have launched a business watch initiative. ''It is my intention in quarter 1 of 2024, along with Supt Lawless, to launch a business watch in Tullamore,'' he commented. He said he wants people to feel safe and the Gardai will utillise all the resources it has to maximum effect.

Meanwhile the number of burglaries were also up 20 percent for the third quarter of this year compared to the same period last year from 35 to 42.

Crimes against the person and assaults causing harm, were down 10 per cent, while minor assaults were also down by 19. Overall crimes against the person were down 7% in Birr and 31% in Tullamore. Chief Supt Lonergan said all of that was positive and something the Gardai will try to maintain going forward.

Criminal damage by fire was up 33 per cent, up from 6 to 8. This was around the Halloween period and the run up to it, and consisted of bins being set on fire. Public offences were down 30% from 57 to 40. ''There was an overall reduction across the board. Tullamore was down 27% while Birr was down 2%

''This is something that requires continuing focus as it will fluctuate,'' said the Chief Supt.

Possession of drugs for sale or supply rose from 10 to 16. The Chief Supt said the contributory

factor is the focus by the drugs unit. He said there had been a number of high value seizures which have impacted on the figures. Simple possession of drugs had risen from 24 to 33.

Those driving while intoxicated rose from 13 for the third quarter in 2022 to 17 for the same period this year.

The Chief Supt also spoke about the number of fatalities on roads this year. ''It is something we continue to focus on. Any time of the year we don't want families left without a loved one,'' he said.

There were 75 domestic related offences, and 14 breach of orders.

''This is an area that requires focus and continuous engagement with victims. We take a victim-centred approach to all we do,'' he said.

The Chief Supt put a strong emphasis on community engagement and highlighted work during the year, including an information day at Tullamore Hospital, visiting trains and road traffic enforcement.

Councillor John Clendennen noted the figure of 75 in relation to domestic violence. He asked if there were any sort of trends appearing.

''We focus strongly on victim engagement, especially call backs to victims of domestic violence.

We have engaged our own analyst service to try and identify patterns or trends around different locations, or addresses that may feature more than once or twice and we may identify there is a particular trend. They will be supplying me on a monthly basis, which I will use to analyse the trends,'' he said.