Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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462. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to increased concern in relation to bicycle thefts in Dublin; the action he will take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner and his management team who are responsible for putting in place targeted Garda operations to tackle bike thefts in Dublin and I have no direct role in this regard.

I can, however, inform he Deputy that 'Operation Chain' has been put in place in the Pearse Street Garda District, and is a targeted intelligence-led operation focusing on pedal cycle theft. This initiative includes Inter-Agency co-operation with Dublin City Council and interested third parties, such as the Dublin Cycling Campaign. A Garda Inspector is appointed to liaise with the Dublin City Council Cycling and Walking Sub-Committee on this matter.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána has a number of ‘bait’ bikes which are deployed at hot-spot locations throughout the South Inner City by the Community Policing Unit. When deployed, these bicycles, the property of An Garda Síochána through Police Property Applications, are kept under surveillance by members of An Garda Síochána. The bicycles are locked in prominent positions and when an attempt is made to steal the bicycle the members intercept the offender, arrest and detain them and recover the bicycle. Follow up enquiries are conducted, which may include liaison with online retailers to ascertain if the individual has been involved in sale of bicycles on line, and follow up searches are conducted where warranted.

In addition to these targeted policing operations, on Thursday 6 September, An Garda Síochána launched the “Lock it or Lose It” campaign in response to a rise in bicycle thefts nationwide. Launching this campaign, Gardaí also provided comprehensive crime prevention advice in the hopes of substantially reducing the number of bike thefts nationwide, including advice to spend between 10% and 20% of the price of your bike on a good lock, noting the serial number on your bicycle, keeping your lock off the ground and locking your bike indoors or in a well-lit area. The full press release and further information about this campaign can be found on the Garda website atwww.garda.ie.

Finally, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to monitor all new and emerging crime trends in relation to this particular form of criminality and to deploy Garda resources, including personnel, to tackle the issue.