Gardaí have reported that approximately 17 home burglaries occurred daily across Ireland during the winter period, marking a dramatic 75% reduction compared to a decade ago.
Statistics released today from Operation Thor, which runs annually from October to March, show that just over 3,000 residential burglaries were reported during the most recent winter phase. This represents a substantial decline from the more than 12,000 burglaries recorded during the 2014/2015 period.
According to The Journal, the operation led to over 900 arrests for offenses including burglary, aggravated burglary, or possession of an article with intent, resulting in more than 2,000 related charges.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland highlighted the force’s organizational approach to tackling rural residential burglaries carried out by organized crime groups. He pointed to the establishment of divisional serious crime units focused on detecting organized crime as evidence of the Gardaí’s commitment to preventing such incidents.
“An Garda Síochána recognizes the long lasting impact any burglary has not just on the victim but on communities, both rural and urban,” Boland added.
The significant reduction in burglary rates over the past decade suggests that targeted policing strategies through Operation Thor may be having a substantial impact on residential property crime across Ireland.