ALMOST two burglaries a day occurred in the city and suburbs last year, new figures have revealed.

There were 621 reports of burglaries in the city and surrounding areas in 2017, up from 468 in 2016.

Reports of criminals and travelling gangs targeting homes and businesses in broad daylight have increased in recent months also, with a number of incidents of homes being hit during Mass times.

The city and surrounding areas, including Ballincollig, Douglas, Carrigaline, and Glanmire, have been particularly targeted, gardaí have said.

In the North Cork Garda division, burglaries increased from 250 in 2016 to 294 reports in 2017.

In West Cork, the number of incidents reported in 2016 was 137 but this dropped in 2017 to 113.

Fraud and deception offences rose slightly in the city to 281 in 2017.

However, they decreased in north and west Cork.

In north Cork, there were 91 cases reported in 2017 and in west Cork, offences for fraud and deception numbered 62 in 2017.

Deputy Commissioner for Policing and Security, John Twomey said: “Any rise in crime is a concern.”

Yesterday, gardaí in the West Cork Division announced an increase in Operation Thor checkpoints, patrols and have been visiting businesses throughout the division giving crime prevention advice.

They are advising businesses not to keep cash on site overnight where possible and to have CCTV backed up regularly and stored in a safe place. Gardaí have attended incidents recently where phone lines and ESB cables have been cut as well as extensive damage caused to the property in order to break into businesses.

Sgt Ian O’Callaghan said: ‘I would appeal to all business owners to be extra vigilant at this time due to increased criminal activity targeting commercial premises in recent weeks across the southern Garda region.”