Commenting on the provisional headline crime figures released by the Central Statistics Office today, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, said
"The underlying trend in crime statistics showing a drop of 1.1% in crime recorded in the year ending 30 June is encouraging on one level. There are, however, no grounds for complacency. I have discussed these figures with the Garda Commissioner, particularly the increase of 3.2% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter last year. He has advised me that the Gardaí are undertaking a number of specific targeted operations directed against particular types of crime in areas where increases have been taking place.
While the crime statistics taken over time are an indication of trends in the commission of crime, we should never lose sight of the fact each crime is a crime too many. Statistics of their nature cannot give a picture of the suffering and damage caused within our community by the crimes involved.
The data on crime trends released this morning underlines the need to continue to take resolute action against all forms of criminal activity so that all the agencies involved in the criminal justice system can, with the support of the community, reduce crime victimisation and, where offences occur, ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Unprecedented resources, both financial and legislative, continue to be devoted to strengthening the capacity of the criminal justice system to cope with the challenges it faces on behalf of the community".
The number of murders and cases of manslaughter for the year has remained stable, with an increase of two in the number of murders (from 58 to 60) and an increase of one in the number of manslaughter cases (from 7 to 8). The Gardaí will continue to attach the highest priority to solving these crimes, and the Minister has been informed that significant progress is being made, in particular, in the investigation of a number of recent homicide cases.
Detections of persons in possession of drugs for sale or supply increased by 29% in the year and 25% in the quarter. While these detections add to the crime figures, in fact they reflect vigorous enforcement by An Garda Síochána, partly through Operation Anvil.
Operation Anvil figures show that since its commencement in mid 2005 the Operation has resulted in:
85 arrests for murder
2,249 arrests for burglary
1,045 arrests for robbery
984 arrests for serious assaults
31,518 searches for drugs
2,487 searches for theft
1,654 searches under the Offences Against the State Act
686 firearms seized/recovered
12,227 vehicles seized/detained
61,950 checkpoints set up
Property to value of €20 million recovered.
The Minister said: "It is clear from these figures that the Gardaí are to be commended for the successes they have achieved under Operation Anvil. Targeted operations of this kind will continue as long as they are necessary."
The crime statistics are published today on the CSO website (www.cso.ie).
20 July, 2007