Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons arrested for vehicle crime in Dublin for the years 2006 to date in 2009 inclusive; the number of persons convicted to date; the steps the Garda is taking to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37628/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that senior Garda management in the Dublin Metropolitan Region implement specific strategies and initiatives to target vehicle crime. The Garda Síochána Analysis Service and Criminal Intelligence Officers identify crime trends and patterns and utilise pin-mapping of such crimes reported to An Garda Síochána to identify hot-spots. These hot-spots are then profiled and subjected to high-visibility policing, including by Garda foot and mobile patrols and Garda mountain bike patrols. Intelligence is gathered, evaluated and analysed to identify persistent offenders, who are then the subject of specific targeted operations. Garda personnel throughout the Region are regularly briefed on high-profile targets and identified hot-spots, to be targeted during regular patrols.

I am further informed that all vehicles involved in this type of crime are subject to technical examination by Divisional Scenes of Crime examiners which, in conjunction with the policy of finger-printing and photographing of arrested persons, are entered into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to assist investigating members of An Garda Síochána in identifying suspects for such crimes. In addition CCTV systems are monitored to prevent and detect vehicle crime.

Community Policing Units and Crime Prevention Officers in every Garda Division organise campaigns to provide crime prevention and personal security advice to members of the public. Owners of vehicles are advised against leaving property, exposed in vehicles, which attracts criminals to target their vehicles. Vehicle owners are also encouraged to park responsibly, in a well-lit area or a designated carpark to prevent opportunistic vehicle crime.