New garda unit to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug offences in Cork city

A new garda unit for policing Cork city centre will have nine members attached to it.

The new street crime unit will target anti social behaviour, drugs offences, thefts and offences against people.

It will be led by one sergeant and have eight rank and file members.

Its members will be on the beat and on mountain bikes across the city centre, including outlying areas stretching to the Mardyke, Kent Station and the Marina.

It will be overseen by Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan, Southside Community Engagement, Anglesea Street Garda Station.

A garda spokesman said: "The dedicated unit has been established to target anti-social behaviour, drugs related offences, thefts and offences against persons, providing additional high visibility policing in the environs of Cork City Centre. 

"The members of the unit will be deployed and times and locations that have been identified as hot spots for crime by the Garda Analysis Services."

He added: "The deployment of personnel to this unit will contribute to maintaining a safe environment for both businesses and visitors to the City and comes at a time when many businesses are reopening due to the lifting of COVID related Government restrictions."

The establishment of the unit had been planned for February but was put on hold while resources were required for the Covid-19 policing operation.