Crime rates in Ballina look set to fall significantly in 2013.
The falling crime rate could help the town achieve a coveted ‘purple flag’ - an international award for towns that are safe, clean and culturally vibrant.
Dublin and Ennis are the only other Irish towns with purple flag status.
There have been 1,080 crimes reported so far this year, compared to 1,369 last year and 1,451 in 2011.
Reports of burglary and public order crimes all fell in 2013 as did drunk driving and speeding detections.
There were two reported rape crimes in 2013 - the same as in 2012 - and both are under active investigation.
There were a further five sexual assaults reported and these are also under investigation.
Burglary rates, which saw a spike in 2012, have fallen from 149 last year to 87 in 2013.
The number of public order offences stands at 143 so far this year.
“This might seem high but it actually reflects the level of patrolling because public order offences are detected by gardaí on the beat,” said Superintendent Gerry Donnelly in his report to a joint policing committee meeting in Ballina.
Councillor Mark Winters welcomed the news.
“The gardaí have worked exceptionally hard,” he said. “We are a safe town and that’s the message we want to send out.”
Deputy Michelle Mulherin, who also sits on the joint policing committee, said it was “a good news story for policing in our area”.
