Thefts in Cork city centre fall dramatically

THEFT incidents in the city centre have fallen dramatically in the past year, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The crime statistics for the 12 months of last year, supplied to the CSO by An Garda Síochána, shows that the number of thefts fell from 1,144 in 2018 in the Anglesea Street district to 916 in 2019.

The number of thefts also fell in the Bridewell district, from 473 to 420.

The figures also fell in other stations across the city, although Togher station area showed an increase in thefts from 167 in 2018 to 178 in 2019.

The number of drug offences detected in Cork city centre were on a par with the previous year.

There were 333 offences recorded by gardaí in the city centre stations at Anglesea Street and the Bridewell, compared with 336 for the two districts the previous year.

Meanwhile, there were 727 public order offences in the Anglesea Street area and a further 418 in the Bridewell area last year.

That was compared with a decrease from 922 in the Anglesea Street district since 2018 and a decrease from 442 in the Bridewell district.

Although the number was down last year, there were some incidents of concern.

In one public order incident late last year, a group of up to 100 youths gathered in Cork city centre after a message was sent out through social media and messaging apps.

The message called for a raid on JD Sports on Patrick Street. It said: “Dress Code. You must wear all black with bally [balaclava] and gloves. You only have one minute to yam that shop. This is at your own risk. Don’t come if you can’t run.”

The message asked people to gather at Daunt’s Square.

The Garda Armed Support Unit and the Garda Public Order Unit were called in to break up the group.

Gardaí later identified the schools of those involved and went into classes in the schools to advise young people about the dangers of becoming involved in such incidents.

In recent weeks, a new street crime unit has been set up in the city centre to target anti-social behaviour, drugs offences, thefts, and offences against people.

It is led by one sergeant and eight rank and file members.

Its members also cover outlying areas stretching to the Mardyke, Kent Station, and the Marina.

A garda spokesman said that the members of the unit will be deployed at times and locations that have been identified as “hot spots” for crime by the Garda Analysis Services.