Written answers

Thursday, 22 April 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Crime Levels

5:00 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the increase in knife crime; the steps the Garda can take to counter such incidents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16220/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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All incidents of the kind referred to by the Deputy are, of course, rigorously pursued by An Garda Síochána with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. One person has been charged in connection with the incident referred to by the Deputy.

All members of An Garda Síochána proactively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife related crime. Areas identified as public order hot-spots by local Garda management are the subject of additional foot and mobile patrols. Incidents of public disorder and anti-social behaviour reported to the Garda authorities are the subject of investigation and are dealt with appropriately in accordance with the law. Over 611,000 offences have been detected since the establishment of Operation Encounter, which was commenced by the then Commissioner in February, 2002, to target public disorder and anti-social behaviour against the local and business communities.

Local policing plans are predicated on the prevention of anti-social and public order offences, the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. Patrols are directed to pay particular attention to those areas where local youths tend to congregate and where the likelihood of anti-social behaviour may arise in order to reduce incidences of public disorder and anti-social behaviour type activities.

Legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is extremely robust and heavy penalties are in place. The Garda Commissioner made recommendations in relation to knives and sharply pointed or bladed weapons, and subsequently I introduced legislation which was enacted as the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. The maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place has been increased from one to five years, and An Garda Síochána has been given an extended power of search without warrant in relation to knives and offensive weapons.

In tandem with the new legislation, samurai swords have been banned from importation and sale, though exceptions have been made for collectors and martial artists.

In 2009, the Garda Commissioner and I launched a Knife Awareness Campaign by An Garda Síochána to inform and educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives and with the aim of reducing the number of incidents of knife crime. The campaign targeted a young male audience with messages delivered through role models in both the sporting and media world and incorporated a series of local road-show events as well a dedicated website and a presence on social networking sites.

Statistics show that nearly one third of knife crimes occur in domestic settings and often with a degree of spontaneity, which increases the challenges of policing and enforcement. The whole area of knives and knife crime is kept under constant review.

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