Burglary rates in Waterford increased by a massive 32 per cent from 2007 to 2014 – one of the largest increases in the country outside the Dublin area.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show an increase in burglaries reported to Gardaí in Waterford, from 618 in 2007 to 813 in 2014.
A nationwide crackdown on crime targeting the worst offenders in the State was launched yesterday (Monday), with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and the Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan claiming that six criminal gangs and more than 200 habitual burglars have been identified by Gardaí for the operation.
Operation Thor will see an increase in recruiting, additions to the Garda fleet, which will include a number of high-powered cars as well as undercover vehicles, as well as investment in ICT for Gardaí and public awareness campaigns.
Uniformed patrols will be increased in burglary hotspots, which Gardaí have identified through the PULSE system.
With the days shortening, Waterford Gardaí have made a special appeal for people to leave on lights when they’re going out.
This follows a number of break-ins in the city at the weekend. Jewellery was stolen from a house at Hennessy’s Road on Friday, between 4pm and 6.15pm.
Overnight on Friday, a number of small electrical items were taken from a house at Ursuline Crescent. Cash was stolen from a house at Lismore Park during a break-in on Sunday, while burglaries took place at John’s Hill and at Viewmount in the early hours of Monday morning.
Gardaí are also warning people to ensure their sheds and garages are properly secure, following the theft of two bikes and two copper cylinders from the garage of a house at St John’s Park last week. The burglary took place between 11pm on Wednesday and 6pm on Thursday.
The bikes are a grey Kona Abracadabra Downhill racing bike and a Scott Velocity Mountain Bike. On the same night, a Giant OCR2 racing bike was stolen from the rear garden of a house at Kilcohan Park.