The number of reported burglaries has dropped by nearly a third this year, the latest Central Statistics Office figures have shown.
The news was welcomed by Frances Fitzgerald, the tanaiste and justice minister, who said that legislation targeting repeat burglars was having a positive effect.
She also said it was a victory for Operation Thor, the gardai’s anti-crime plan that includes more visibility on the streets.
The CSO statistics, which measure differences in crime figures from the end of September last year to the end of September this year, show that sexual offences rose by 6 per cent, one of the few categories to record an increase. This may be in part explained by increased reporting.
Drug offences fell in Dublin but rose overall by 4 per cent, mostly because of a sharp increase in the east and south of the country.
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The release is the first collection of crime statistics since the CSO published a September review of the quality of information gathered on the garda PULSE computer system and recommended changes to the way that crimes were recorded.
Ms Fitzgerald said that gardai “continue to achieve impressive results in their sustained drive against burglars under Operation Thor . . . It is encouraging that the regional breakdown of the CSO figures shows that Operation Thor is benefiting communities right across the country.”
Referring to the 6.6 per cent increase in sexual offences, she cited the recent Dail debate on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill and said she hoped it would become law next year. The law would give extra protections for victims of sexual offences in the criminal process and to children from sexual abuse.
Weapons offences fell by 12.5 per cent and damage to the environment and property was down 15.7 per cent.
Looking at the longer term view, the CSO said that the number of recorded crimes increased from 9,721 in 2012 to 11,661 this year, representing an increase of 20 per cent.
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Public order offences decreased, which the government said was partly because of higher garda visibility on the streets.