This article is from page 2 of the 2008-07-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
LATEST Government figures show that crime in Clare is on the decrease with provisional figures from the first quarter of this year showing a major decline in a number of areas of crime.
The figures show that there was 34 sexual offences reported last year and this year the figure from January to the end of March was two.
The number of serious assaults 1s also down. Where last year there were 68 assaults causing harm, for the first quarter this year the figure was 12.
Other assaults have also shown a drop. Where the numbers recorded to date this year were 53, this com- pares to 222 for the whole of 2007.
The trend in homicides is also on the way down with none to date re- corded in January to March of this year. This compares to 16 in the last three years and this figure includes charge of dangerous driving causing ler taee
The figures also show that public order offences are proportionally down with 363 public order offences recorded in January to March and this compares to 1,530 in 2007.
Figures relating to disorderly con-
duct are also down on last year with 310 recorded offences compared to Pett Atlee
The area of drug enforcement also showed a drop with 85 recorded drug offences in the first three months and this compares to 358 for the 12 months last year.
One of the only areas which is showing a potential increase by year end is child neglect where five report offences were recorded in the first quarter and this compares to 18 such cases in 2007.
The statistics show that to date this year, there has been no abduction of any person under 15 and this com-
pares to two last year.
According to Green Party council- lor, Brian Meaney who sourced the figures, “the figures are very encour- aging, but before we can get compla- cent in any way, we should be aware of the seasonal factors involved. For example in the area of public order, the number of public order offences are generally higher in the summer months and around Christmas.
“However, it is very encouraging in relation to the rates of homicide, robbery and sexual offences where there are significant drops and that is to be welcomed,’ added Councillor Meaney.