Spate of thefts across Tipperary, as 'majority of cars are left open'

Sergeant John McCormack is warning people right across the county to be hyper vigilant when it comes to locking their cars at night. Gardaí are seeing a high number of incidents where thieves are breaking into cars. However, the thieves’ task is made that much easier, as the “majority of cars are left open”.

Sergeant McCormack, Crime Prevention Officer, told Tipperary Live how gangs of criminals are coming into housing estates and simply checking every car, and in some cases car keys are left in the car, and sometimes house keys as well.

They’ve had three or four car thefts in the last two or three weeks as a result of this behaviour, with reports in Mullinahone, Holycross, Dundrum, Clonoulty, Roscrea, Borrisokane, Cappawhite, Ballina, and Nenagh.

“We’re giving these criminals the opportunity to commit crime. Over 40% of burglaries are committed through the front door” said the sergeant.

He pointed out how devices such as Ring doorbells do help in identifying the culprits but nevertheless, speed is of the essence in reporting the crime. In  one incident, it was two hours before the crime was reported to gardaí. The delay meant that the gang had committed further crimes up the county in the meantime, before they were caught.

“People can be embarrassed, but get away from it, and report any suspicious activity”.

The public are reminded to turn on their house alarms, lock the car always, do not leave valuables like handbags of laptops in the car, and avoid keeping the keys to the car by the front door or on the kitchen table.