Crime figures are down across the county, the Joint Policing Committee of Wicklow County Council heard at a meeting this week.
The report, presented by new Divisional Chief Superintendent John Quirke, was described by committee members as “most positive”.
The Policing Committee has also adopted a six-year Joint Policing Plan – 2016-2021 – which will be presented to a full meeting of Wicklow County Council in October.
According to the figures presented by Chief Superintendent Quirke, burglaries fell over the past 12 months by 33 per cent while aggravated burglary went down by 50 per cent.
Other property crime figures:
- Robbery from person – down by 39 per cent
- Theft from vehicles – down by 14 per cent
- Theft from shops – down 10 per cent
- Unauthorised taking of vehicle – down 30 per cent
The reductions in property crime – in most cases – were experienced across all Districts: Baltinglass, Bray and Wicklow.
Crimes against the person fell by 5 per cent across the county with a 33 per cent reduction in sexual assaults and an 11 per cent drop in rapes.
As regards criminal damage, there was an overall reduction of 29 per cent while in the case of public order and other social code offences, there was a 24 per cent reduction.
In the case of possession of drugs for personal use, there was a divisional reduction of 6 per cent with the biggest increase (83 per cent) reported in the Baltinglass area.
A 33 per cent fall was reported in the division under the heading of possession of drugs for sale or supply. The highest recorded reduction was in Baltinglass – 67 per cent.
Traffic incidents saw a 71 per cent drop in fatal collisions but a 25 per cent increase in collisions where there was serious injury. There was a small increase – 4 per cent – in instances of drunk driving.
The six-year Policing Plan adopted by the Committee on Monday last links with the goals and objectives of the County Wicklow Local Economic and Community Plan as well as the Garda Annual Policing Plan for the area.
It contains strategic priorities and objectives for implementation over the next five years under the four priority areas of:
1) Policing Communities
2) Tackling crime in rural areas
3) Drug prevention
4) communicating the role of the Joint Policing Committee
Four working groups have been established to implement the objectives. The Plan will be officially launched by the Committee at its next public meeting which is due to be held in Roundwood in early November.
As well as welcoming Chief Superintendent John Quirke, the Chairman of the Committee, Cllr Jim Ruttle, and Committee members also welcomed new Superintendent Gerry McGrath in the Baltinglass area.
