Leitrim sees further drop in burglaries according to latest crime statistics

Burglaries and thefts are down and road offence detections have increased significantly in the first few weeks of 2022.

Providing an update on the provisional crime figures for Leitrim up to February 1, 2022 to members of the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee last Monday, Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken said that things are starting to “return to normal” following the disruption of Covid-19 over the past two years.

Comparing figures for 2022 with 2021, Chief Superintendent Glacken noted that burglaries “while relatively low in Leitrim” have dropped by a further 25%. Thefts are also down on figures for 2021.

While the number of assaults and public order offences remain “reasonably low” the Chief Superintendent acknowledged that we will “potentially see change as society returns to greater socialisation.”

However he said that local gardai will be working with licenced traders and the entertainment industry to try and reduce the incidence of this going forward.

Chief Superintendent Glacken also pointed out the recent success in tackling organised crime and drug supply in the region.

He noted the major drugs conviction involving a man from North Leitrim in possession of drugs in excess of €300,000.

Noting that this man was now serving a custodial sentence, Chief Superintendent Glacken said that the “impact and affects of drugs in our community” don't just stem from drug use and supply, but also to drug debts, intimidation and organised criminal activity.

He also said that with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions gardai will be increasing the number of checkpoints and this is leading to a rise in detections for drug and alcohol driving offences.

Gardai have also seen an increase in general road offence detections as more and more people start to travel following lockdowns.