Louth crime figures reveal thefts, assaults, and public disorder on the rise

Newly released Garda crime figures for the third quarter of 2024 highlight a continued trend of theft-related offences and public order incidents in the Louth Garda Division. When compared to the same period in 2023, the data released by the CSO reveals increases in several key crime categories, though some areas have seen slight improvements.

Theft and related offences continue to be the most frequently recorded crimes, with 673 incidents in Q3 2024—an increase from 539 in Q3 2023. Shoplifting remains a significant issue, rising from 259 to 350 cases. Vehicle thefts also saw an increase, with 97 incidents recorded in 2024 compared to 71 in 2023. Burglary-related offences surged from 57 in Q3 2023 to 87 in Q3 2024.

There were 238 recorded cases of assaults, threats, and harassment in Q3 2024, compared to 215 in Q3 2023. Assault causing harm or poisoning saw a slight decline from 57 to 55 incidents, but minor assaults increased from 132 to 135 cases. Threats to kill or cause serious harm increased, rising from 17 to 27 incidents. Harassment and related offences more than doubled from 9 to 21 cases.

Public order offences rose sharply in 2024, with 291 recorded incidents compared to 238 in Q3 2023. Disorderly conduct incidents increased from 223 to 280 cases, suggesting a rise in anti-social behavior in public spaces.

A total of 38 sexual offences were recorded in Q3 2024, compared to 30 in Q3 2023. Rape and sexual assault cases rose from 24 to 33 incidents, while other sexual offences saw a slight decline from 6 to 5 cases.

Controlled drug offences saw a slight decrease, with 107 cases recorded in Q3 2024 compared to 124 in Q3 2023. Notably, possession of drugs for sale or supply dropped from 36 to 22 cases. Weapons and explosives offences, however, increased from 15 in 2023 to 25 in 2024, with notable rises in firearm possession cases.

Traffic-related offences showed mixed trends. The number of incidents involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit dropped slightly from 31 to 26, while drug-impaired driving cases decreased from 9 to 8. Dangerous or negligent acts stood at 40 cases recorded in Q3 2024 compared to 46 in Q3 2023.

Overall the comparison between Q3 2023 and Q3 2024 highlights significant increases in theft, burglary, assault, and public order offences in the Louth Garda Division.

Nationally, the number of recorded crime incidents relating to Burglary & Related offences increased by 10% or 878 incidents to 9,981 in the year to Q3 2024. Most of this increase related to incidents involving non-aggravated Burglary.

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Recorded crime incidents relating to Theft & Related offences were also up, rising by 7% or 5,331 to 77,260 incidents over the same period with six out of every ten (57%) incidents in this increase due to theft from shops.

There were also increases in the number of crime incidents relating to Kidnapping & Related offences (+16% or 23), Weapons & Explosives offences (+11% or 297), and Public Order & Other Social Code offences (+3% or 769).

By contrast, recorded crime incidents involving Homicide & Related offences fell by 12% to 75 incidents in the year to Q3 2024.

Decreases were also noted in the number of crime incidents involving Controlled Drug offences (-6%), Offences against Government, Justice Procedures & Organisation of Crime (-7%), Robbery, Extortion & Hijacking offences (-2%) and Sexual offences (-1%).