Significant increase in Thefts from Vehicles across Dublin Mid-West leaves public exposed – Curran

20% increase in thefts from vehicles in the area 

New figures released to Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West John Curran, show a significant increase in the number of thefts from vehicles in a 12 month period across all local Garda Stations in Dublin Mid-West.

In information received by the Deputy from this month’s Joint Policing Report for the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division there has been an overall 20% increase in thefts from vehicles in the area.

This information was revealed by local Gardai in Lucan, Ronanstown, Clondalkin and Rathcoole Garda Stations.

Deputy Curran commented, “There has been a significant increase in thefts from vehicles across all local areas in Dublin Mid-West and the public must be warned and cautioned not to leave anything valuable unattended in their cars or work vehicles.

In total there were 699 thefts from vehicles in 2017 in all local areas in DMR West Division an increase of 118 thefts since 2016.

Lucan Garda Station reported 170 thefts in 2017, an increase of 20%. Ronanstown Garda Station reported 163 thefts, an increase of 39%. Clondalkin Garda Station reported 259 thefts, an increase of 9% and Rathcoole Garda Station reported 107 thefts from vehicles in 2017, an increase of 26% in just 12 months.

With detection rates very low; there is a very real need for the allocation of extra Garda resources in this locality.

Fianna Fáil secured a commitment under the Confidence and Supply Arrangement for increased Garda recruitment and I am therefore calling on the Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to ensure that all our local Garda Stations in Dublin Mid-West receive an increased allocation of personnel.

“As a member of the Joint Policing Committee I am acutely aware of the issues in our area and regularly raise these matters during debate.

“It is important that people feel secure and that means having visible Garda presence in the area,” concluded Deputy Curran.