CRIME prevention Gardaí have warned of a massive increase in break-ins to vehicles in Co Donegal – and have issued some advice in a bid to tackle a growing problem in the county.
Garda Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan has designated today as National Crime Prevention Day of Action with a focus on theft from cars.
The county’s crime prevention officer Sgt Paul Wallace has issued new crime statistics for Donegal, showing how thefts from cars here are increasing.
The show how year to date, compared to 2013, there were:
* 24 reported thefts from vehicles in Buncrana policing district, up from six
* 30 thefts in Letterkenny garda district, up from 25.
* an astonishing 64 thefts in the Ballyshannon garda district, up 20 on last year.
Even the Milford district has shown an increase, albeit with still small numbers with five reports so far this year compared to just one last year.
“The simple advise here is ‘Go out & lock your car’ it really is that simple,” said Sgt Wallace.
“Car owners in this county should be acutely aware of the selective targeting by criminals of parked cars and vans in urban and isolated rural areas as we recently had a spate of such crimes in Termon and Buncrana.
“In the summer we find that parked vehicles in scenic areas of the county can be targeted by criminals so it is important to lock up and put items out of view.”
Here’s some facts – and some simple tips to make the thieves job harder.
Did you Know?
➢ €220 is the average value of items stolen from cars.
➢ €6.6 Million worth of property has been taken.
➢ Laptops, Tablet Devices, & Cash are the targeted items.
➢ 1 in 4 cars parked in driveways were unlocked.
➢ 1 in 3 had windows broken as valuables were visible inside.
This initiative, provides An Garda Síochána, with an opportunity to further pledge its’ commitment, to deepen and develop ‘Policing in Partnership’ with our communities, in order to promote and support safer communities.
What is the overall aim of the Crime Prevention ‘Day of Action’?
To highlight this type of crime amongst the public in Co Donegal & to seek the assistance of the vehicle owners to be proactive in deterring by taking simple steps which will delay, deter and defeat the criminal.
Tips:
1. Lock it or lose it.
2. Put away visible property.
3. Overnight park in well lit areas if possible or areas covered by cctv.
4. Report the crime – Gardai / Car park operators need to know.
www.garda.ie for more crime prevention tips
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