There was some good news for the south of Westmeath this week with the news that the number of public order offences, assaults, and feud-related violence in the district were all down in 2012.
However, in his address to the Athlone/Kilbeggan Joint Policing Committee (JPC ) this week, Inspector Nicholas Farrell voiced his concern about the recent rise in knife crime.
“A major concern with public order is the number of people carrying knives at night time. We are enforcing the stop and search policy in the small hours and at weekends,” said Inspector Farrell.
“It is not uncommon for the younger generation to feel they need knives or blades, but we’re showing them we’re not tolerating this. Young people can be shocked by this, not knowing it’s an offence to carry a knife. It is a concern we have,” he continued.
In all other facets, however, Inspector Farrell reported noticeable drops in crime, with a 7 per cent decrease in all assaults in 2012, and a decrease in road traffic fatalities from three in 2011 to none in 2012.
Also serious and minor accidents had been reduced in the last year, a factor he put down to the new road system.
The inspector also reported a “slight reduction” in drink driving convictions.
“The message is getting out there. People involved in accidents will be breathalysed as a matter of course,” he warned.
He explained how public order prosecutions were also down “because of the economic climate, people are going out less”, but also on account of the implementation of Garda policy to maintain a visible, uniformed presence outside the traditional flashpoints - nightclubs and chippers - at closing time.
Inspector Farrell also reported a reduction in Traveller feuding, with “one small incident in [2012] already through the courts”.
He went on to voice concern over the increased incidence in burglaries.
“It’s a major concern over the whole country, and though 2012 figures were down a bit, the the trend this year seems to be reversing,” he warned.
Inspector Farrell noted the recent incidence of letterbox fishing - literally a fishing rod through the letterbox - and that “six cars have been stolen like this in a very short period of time”.
He advised citizens to leave their car keys anywhere other than on the hall table.
While he was happy to report that there has been no incidence of rural crime similar to the one in Donegal, there is an ongoing case in Athlone where burglars took money from an elderly man.
“We’re open to any system that can reduce levels of fear, and the community alert scheme is one of the greatest deterrents of crime,” said Inspector Farrell.
“I would like you as public representatives to promote this when you go back home. There’s no better way to police an area than in a community forum. That would be the most positive thing out of this meeting. If there’s a spate of crime in an area people will stay interested until it goes away. I’m part of a rural community myself, and know the fears out there,” he said.
“The theme of my report would be for greater community engagement. Ask people to form committees, get meetings going, and invite the Garda Síochána.
[Sergeant] John Connolly is the crime prevention officer and he will attend anywhere to give advice if he’s asked,” said the inspector.
