Burglaries in Waterford down by 43% in four year period, Minister for Justice confirms

Recorded burglaries have fallen by 43% in the Waterford Garda Division over a four-year period since 2019, Minister for Justice Simon Harris has confirmed. 

Senator Cummins welcomed confirmation from Minister for Justice Simon Harris of a significant reduction in burglaries in every part of the country.

Figures from Minister Harris confirmed Operation Thor, which tackles burglary and actively targets organised crime gangs, has reduced burglary nationally by 45% between 2019.

Senator Cummins said: "I really want to commend An Garda Síochána for their ongoing concerted efforts in targeting criminals through Operation Thor. This has resulted in a 43% reduction in Waterford, which is in line with the reduction achieved nationally. I believe this is a positive signal that the increased investment in An Garda Siochana by Fine Gael is paying dividends on the ground in urban and rural communities in Waterford.

"Burglaries are a scourge on society and the level of upset, hurt and trauma it can cause, beyond the loss of items and goods, is hard to quantify. While I would prefer to see the figures at zero, the reality is we will always have criminal networks that will seek to exploit weaknesses and target vulnerable individuals but these figures should absolutely reassure the public that the Gardai have and will continue to deploy resources to target these criminals.

"Budget 2023 allowed for a further increase in garda numbers, and we know that an increased garda presence helps people feel safer, and indeed keeps them safer. High visibility policing works, and my party is committed to ensuring that this is the case throughout Ireland now and into the future. 

"The newly launched Waterford Community Safety Partnership plan highlighted the need for all stakeholders to play their role in keeping our communities safe and I believe there is no better example of that in action than community text alert schemes. These groups are vitally important, and I want to see support for them increased considerably. I facilitated a productive meeting with Minister Harris and community groups from Waterford when he was in Waterford recently and I will be raising the need for further supports in the Seanad this week also," Senator Cummins said. 

Senator John Cummins with Minister Simon Harris

Minister Harris added: “The Government is committed to creating stronger and safer rural and urban communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion. This includes provision for the recruitment of a further 1,000 Gardaí.

“We know that burglaries are significantly down due to increased investment and targeted measures taken by the Garda Commissioner. I want to praise the men and women of AGS, who go out every day and put on a uniform to protect us all from criminals seeking to reign terror on communities across the country.”