Renewed focus on winter crime

The winter phase of a garda operation has begun as a rise in criminal activity is expected, An Garda Síochána has confirmed.

The winter phase of Operation Thor will run until the end of March 2021 and aims to tackle the anticipated increase in the number of burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur in winter months by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative measures.

Commenting on the current Operation Thor winter phase, Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll with responsibility for Organised & Serious Crime, said: “An Garda Síochána has launched the winter phase of Operation Thor with a renewed focus on interrupting and preventing burglary and related crime. This type of crime has a particularly devastating effect on its victims and we in An Garda Síochána are determined to impact on the activities of criminals involved in the commission of this crime.”

This initiative has successfully reduced the rate of winter burglaries, leading to a significant decline in property related crime since its introduction in 2015.

The numbers of residential burglaries reported during Q4 2011 – Q1 2015 was an average of 11,592. This has dropped to an average of 6,980 since Q4 2015 to date, a decrease of 39.8 per cent.

Residential burglary in 2020 has fallen during Covid-19, with a sharp reduction observed in March and April in response to Government restrictions on work, travel, school and business.

From March to August inclusive, there were 43.1 per cent fewer residential burglaries reported compared to the same period in 2019.

However, Operation Thor Winter Phase will continue to focus on five main areas to reduce burglary incidents and protect communities.

These are: crime prevention and protecting communities; crime investigation and operational activity; working in partnership with agencies in local and national Government; education and awareness and victim support.

Simple steps to protect your home:

- Turn on some lights