Crime breakdown

A BREAKDOWN of crime reported and detected throughout the Wicklow Garda District this year to the end of October was outlined to Wicklow Joint Policing Committee on Monday.

Chief Superintendent John Paul Quirke outline the progress made by An Garda Síochána to date and also the challenge in terms of resources. He outlined a number of progressive initiatives such as the Saor Project which targets high level offenders. In such cases a ‘case manager’ is appointed to a defendant and all the charges are brought before the court on the same date so the judge can assess the matter fully and gardaí can object to bail. Supt Quirke said that in many areas crime was on the decrease and he hoped that the downward trend would continue. He highlighted issues with thefts from vehicles, particularly in tourist hotspots, and thefts of alcohol from shops, especially before Christmas.