Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 701: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the method of compiling statistics on anti-social behaviour; the way in which they are reflected in the annual Garda report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34239/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware from the latest Garda annual report that there were almost 1,100,-22%, fewer serious assaults and over 2,300,-23%, fewer minor assaults in 2003 compared to 2002. There were almost 2,000,-22%, fewer criminal damage cases and 2,400,-4%, fewer public order offences in 2003 compared to 2002.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific crime classification of anti-social behaviour and, therefore, statistics are not compiled under such a heading. There are a variety of offences, recorded as intoxicating liquor offences, public order offences, assaults and other offences which may be considered as anti-social behaviour. These offences may be either headline or non-headline offences.

I understand that the compilation of all offences are subject to the crime counting rules and these rules are published in the Garda annual report for 2003 and previous years. I am further informed that gardaí dealing with public order offences, assaults and other such offences, record them on PULSE and those records are used to produce the statistical data contained in the Garda annual report.