Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Joyriding Offences

7:00 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has a strategic plan to address the increasing problem of so called boy racing and existing problems of joyriding; and the details of this plan. [41986/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda Policing Plan 2006 sets as a strategic goal the reduction of the incidence of fatal and serious injury collisions. In order to achieve this goal An Garda Síochána has sectioned the road network into 8km zones and analysed the collisions data for the past ten years within these zones. A weighting is then assigned to each zone based on the collision data. Enforcement is then prioritised based on the weighting. The type and levels of enforcement for the various road traffic offences are based on the factors identified as contributing to the collisions.

Garda road safety presentations constantly take place with regular presentations in secondary schools, third level colleges and to large enterprises. These presentations are aimed at raising road safety awareness, particularly amongst young drivers, with a view to improving driver behaviour and bringing about an improved compliance culture.

It is generally a hard core of youths who engage in so-called joy-riding, many of whom are known to the Gardaí. Unfortunately, there is a high degree of recidivism. The Gardaí continually monitor trends in car theft, with a view to identifying and targeting persistent offenders and policing areas which are unfortunately prone to suffer such activities. Persons serving sentences for persistent offences related to so-called joy-riding are not granted early temporary release except in the most exceptional circumstances.

An Garda Síochána operates special foot and mobile patrols, targeting specific areas in response to identified local requirements. All vehicles the subject of unauthorised takings are technically examined when recovered, and known offenders are targeted for these offences. In each Garda division there is a traffic unit that targets incidents of joy-riding and enforcement outside of peak traffic hours.

The Garda and local authorities have made good progress in recent years with regard to estate management and are actively reducing the opportunities for joy-riding. For example, physical changes, such as barriers, speed ramps, in-fill housing, raising of plinth walls and widening of footpaths are being used to reduce access to areas frequented by youths engaged in these activities. Gardaí are constantly liaising with community groups, and a number of projects are operating which have proved invaluable in dealing with offenders.

Among these are a number of Garda youth diversion projects, which are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative seeking to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social and criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long term employability prospects. By so doing, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhance the relations between the Gardaí and the community.

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