Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I am not; I am just trying to explain the difference because the Deputy's question is a serious one. It implies that a private sector body's report seems to differ substantially from that of the Central Statistics Office. I am slightly perplexed about how there could be such a wide divergence. It could be a definitional matter. A possible explanation is that the taking of a garden spade from a back garden is classified as a household burglary, although it is not.

It is unclear whether the figures relate to the company's clients only or if account has been taken of the increase in the company's client base, which according to the report amounted to 17% in the past year. Many more people are using the PhoneWatch system. Therefore, an increase in the number of complaints through that system would give rise to these statistics. I am just positing these points as possible explanations for the divergence. In addition, the report states its figures are based on a sample of household insurance claims for the period in question.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

For these reasons, I do not believe the figures in the report are directly comparable to the statistics based on Garda Síochána data. Those statistics have until recently been compiled and published by the Garda Síochána, but the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 were compiled and published by the CSO. The CSO will compile and publish all future crime statistics, following my commitment to bring the CSO's independence and statistical expertise to bear on the compilation of the crime statistics.

The CSO figures for the third quarter show an overall decrease in headline offences of 1.6% compared with the same quarter in 2005. They also show a decrease of 12.2% in burglary offences in the quarter. While they show an increase of 23.1% in aggravated burglaries, this represents a very small increase in absolute terms, from 65 to 80. With regard to the second quarter, compared with the same quarter in 2005 there was a decrease of 9% in burglaries and no change in aggravated burglaries.

With regard to the Dublin metropolitan region, the Garda Síochána's annual report for 2005 shows there was a decrease of 4% in burglaries for the year. During the longer period of 2003 to 2005, there was a decrease in the Dublin metropolitan region of recorded burglary offences of 5%. While there was, however, a 6% increase nationally in burglaries in 2005, there was a decrease of 2% in aggravated burglaries. In response to this, the deputy commissioner, operations, commissioned an assessment of the causes of the rise in crimes of burglary in the year. That assessment has contributed to the improvement in the figures in 2006 to date.

A significant contribution to the improvement has also been made by Operation Anvil which commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region in May 2005 with the aim of addressing the problem of serious crimes such as robberies and burglaries and of combating an emerging gun culture. At my request Operation Anvil was extended outside the Dublin metropolitan region during 2006. The most recent figures available to me show that the operation is having encouraging successes. Up to 19 November, there was a total of 3,349 arrests in the Dublin metropolitan region, of which 1,701 were for burglary and 796 for robbery.

The Garda Síochána Act provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas Members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. The Garda Síochána relies on the ongoing and active support of the public to enable it to be at its most effective in its functions. The committees will have a useful contribution to make in reducing the incidence of crimes such as burglary by mobilising the resources of the local authority, the community and individual residents.

Twenty-two joint policing committees are being established by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner in a pilot phase and I intend to extend them to all local authorities in 2007.

The Garda supports and fosters a number of crime prevention measures that have direct value for householders, including the neighbourhood watch scheme which was established in 1985 by the Garda as a crime prevention measure for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 neighbourhood watch schemes in operation. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in neighbourhood watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such initiatives. The Garda Síochána has been a strategic partner in driving and supporting Neighbourhood Watch through its community relations section and local Garda management and has deployed crime prevention officers and liaison gardaí to assist schemes.

In addition, the community alert programme is a community-based crime prevention initiative in rural communities which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with its network comprising of approximately 1,249 local community alert groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities who are vulnerable, in particular the elderly, by crime prevention, neighbourliness and self reliance, general community safety and well-being, accident prevention, promotion of personal safety and having an antipoverty focus awareness of social inclusion. My Department has for some time funded the work of development officers working to expand community alert.

I am strongly of the view that community organisations have, through their support and co-operation with the Garda Síochána, an important role to play in crime prevention and the promotion of community safety and I very much support the work in this area being carried out by Muintir na Tíre through community alert.

I recently determined priorities for the Garda Síochána for 2007 under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. These priorities include achieving an increase in public confidence in law enforcement through significantly increased high visibility policing in the community; monitoring and improving response times to emergency calls while ensuring persons reporting any crime are dealt with sympathetically and efficiently; using the civilianisation process and the outsourcing of appropriate services to increase the number of gardaí on operational duties; and taking effective steps to protect vulnerable people living in isolated areas.

I am confident these priorities will help in combating burglary and reducing the fear thereof in society.

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