Lockdown linked to fall in crime
A decline in crimes like thefts and assaults has been linked to the Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions.
New garda figures were released this week for the Cork city district which showed a fall overall in property crime and crimes against the person for the first eight months of the year compared to the first eight months of 2019.
The figures came to light during a Cork city Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday with Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin commenting that the decrease in some crimes could be attributed to the recent lockdown.
“We had a lot of checkpoints and there was high visibility of gardaí in the city. The requirement for people to stay at home meant that criminals had to stay at home too,” he said.
There were nine reports of robbery of an establishment or institution in 2019 and six for the same period this year, while robbery from a person was down 38 per cent and non aggravated burglary reports fell from 325 to 250.
Thefts of vehicles fell from 152 to 98 while interfering with a vehicle with the intent of stealing an item or the vehicle fell by ten reports, from 49 to 39.
Meanwhile theft from a person decreased by 60 per cent from 63 to 25, theft from a shop from 1,104 to 803, and theft from a vehicle from 476 to 338. Theft of other property and handling of stolen property also fell. However, two crimes that saw an increase were aggravated burglary and theft of bicycles.
Speaking about the rise in aggravated burglaries from four to 17, Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin said that eight of these 17 incidents are currently before the courts while investigations are continuing into the other reports. He also warned about a gang of youths thieving bicycles around the city and urged owners to lock up their bikes safely.
As for crimes against the person, the chief superintendent said that minor assaults and assaults causing harm both saw a decrease and again linked this with the Covid-19 restrictions.
He added: “A lot of assault incidents might happen on the street outside pubs and nightclubs and inside pubs and clubs too so their closure can be attributed to the fall in these crimes. Our staff arrangements were changed at the onset of the Covid-19 restrictions which meant that there was more garda visibility during the day and night time. All hands were on deck during that period so we can see the benefit that this had.” As for Covid-19 itself, Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin said there were 100 incidents associated with Covid-19, as well as 334 checkpoints and 1,112 patrols.