GARDAI: PROTECT YOUR HOME WHEN YOU VISIT THE POPE
Official tips on how to combat burglars and pickpockets this weekend
GARDAÍ are warning that notorious burglary gangs will be targeting the empty homes of pilgrims going to see Pope Francis this weekend.
The Irish Daily Mail can reveal that the national Garda burglary unit has increased surveillance on the country’s most prominent burglars in recent weeks amid fears of a crime spree this weekend.
And one source warned the Pope’s visit – which will attract more than 550,000 pilgrims to Dublin and Knock – is like ‘leaving the sweet shop unlocked’ for experienced criminals.
The senior source said: ‘There are approximately eight well-organised burglary gangs operating in Ireland. They
are primarily based in the capital and are highly organised and opportunistic. These individuals are astute. For many of them, robbing houses is their full-time job. The Pope’s visit is like leaving the sweet shop unlocked. They know that hundreds of thousands of people are leaving their homes to see the Pope both in Dublin and Knock.’
However the source emphasised: ‘Gardaí will be prepared too and will meet them head on.’
Officers will issue security advice over the next few days to homeowners on the national text alert system warning them how to protect their homes.
Several security sources all over Ireland spoken to by the Mail yesterday confirmed that ‘increased Garda patrols’ nationwide are
‘This is not open season’
planned all weekend, with a particular focus on Sunday – which will see Pope Francis say the Angelus in Knock before addressing over half a million people in a Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
It is understood that gardaí will issue advice to householders about how to protect their homes during their absence.
A source explained: ‘People leaving their homes needs to be mindful to leave the impression their home is occupied. Simple things like leaving lights on and a car in the driveway can be enough to prevent burglars.
‘Also asking neighbours or family members who are nearby to keep an eye on your property is a good idea. The ante will be upped obviously in terms of local Garda patrols all weekend nationwide. Burglary gangs should be warned – this is not open season. These gangs might have plans but gardaí are preparing to tackle them.’
It can be revealed that the national Garda burglary unit, which numbers fewer than 15 officers in high-powered cars tackling the robbery gangs, is also ‘fully briefed’.
This unit has increased surveillance of the country’s most notorious burglars in recent weeks.
This unit has been ‘keeping a close eye’ and ‘garnering intelligence’ about specific gangs’ plans during the Papal visit to ‘attempt to wreak havoc’. Under the national text alert service, subscribers signed up through community schemes receive alerts from gardaí advising them of suspicious or criminal activity in their local area. It also supports existing Community Crime Prevention Programmes.
As of April 2017, the most recent figures available, a total of 1,085 text alert schemes existed around the country, including 191,181 individual subscribers.
Another security source added: ‘The text alert system is very successful. And for something like the Papal visit, which will in essence see parts of rural Ireland emptied, it will be vital.’
The Mail recently revealed how there will be a major Garda crackdown on notorious city-centre pickpockets during events surrounding the Pope.
Gardaí have drawn up a list of serial pickpockets whose names and photographs will be circulated to frontline gardaí ahead of Pope Francis’s visit.
Hundreds of thousands of people will attend public appearances by the Pope in Mayo and Dublin. And
‘Try not to carry too much cash’
because a particularly high percentage of older and potentially frail people will be attending the Papal events, they could be ‘easier targets’ for pickpockets, a source told the Mail.
However, it is understood gardaí have been provided with the names of all persons issued with tickets by the Papal event organisers, the World Meeting of Families.
A senior source told the Mail: ‘While it is almost impossible to not grant people tickets if they apply, it is good for gardaí to know who is coming.
‘There will be eagle-eyed officers at all the gates who will know who to look out for and if they are spotted they will be followed around for the day and gardaí will make their presence known to them.’
Pope Francis will spend two days in Ireland, August 25 and 26, and will attend several events.
He will visit Knock Shrine, which will have a capacity of 45,000, on the morning of Sunday, August 26. He will return to Dublin for Mass later the same day in the Phoenix Park before 500,000 people.
‘There will be many officers on the day who know who these people are and will be looking out for them,’ the source added.
‘It would be impossible to prevent all crime, particularly at the largest Phoenix Park Mass, but gardaí are aware of the risk pickpockets pose and are making necessary arrangements.’
The source added that it’s a ‘concern’ that older people generally are more likely to be carrying cash than younger generations.
‘Garda advice to anyone attending any of the Papal events is to be self-aware,’ the insider said.
‘Try not to carry too much cash on your person and try to ensure money is kept safe so it cannot be stolen.’
The source explained that gardaí
are well aware that pickpockets without tickets are also likely to congregate in the busy drop-off areas for Dublin Bus vehicles at Phoenix Park.
Again, there will be a presence of uniformed and plainclothes gardaí ‘keeping a close watch’ on these areas.
Sources say the shortlist of pickpockets comprises both Irish criminals and foreign thieves.
The Mail also recently revealed that gardaí are to beef up security for the Pope’s Knock visit by deploying up to three snipers amid fears over security threats.
Security sources say there will be at least one sniper at Knock Airport and others around the village’s basilica when Francis visits on Sunday.