Huge increase in shop thefts in Louth

There was a 38% increase in the number of thefts from shops recorded in the Louth Garda Division in the first half of this year, compared to the second half of last year, according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

352 offences were recorded in Louth in the second quarter of this year (Q2), along with 326 in the first quarter (Q1), giving a total of 678 offences in the first half of 2024, up 38% on the 491 offences recorded in the last half of 2023. It is also up 29% on the 526 offences recorded in Louth in the first half of 2023.

Theft & Related offences increased in two other categories in the Louth Garda Division in Q2 of this year, compared to Q1, with the biggest increases seen in the categories, Theft from Shop and Other Thefts, Handling stolen Property. According to the CSO release, Recorded Crime Q2 2024, 212 other thefts, handling stolen property offences were recorded in Louth in Q2 2024, up from 178 in Q1 and 174 in the last quarter of last year.

Theft/Taking of Vehicles and Related Offences increased from 67 incidents in Louth in Q1 to 73 in Q2. The 140 offences recorded in the first half of this year, compares to 132 in the last half of last year, and 127 in the first half of last year.

In total 644 Theft and Related Offences were recorded in the Louth Garda Division in Q1 of this year. It is up from 576 in Q1 and 472 in the last quarter of last year. The 1,220 offences recorded in Louth in the first half of this year is up from 1,011 or 21% recorded in the second half of last year, and up from 1,206 or 19% in the first half of last year.

Nationally, the CSO says that analysis of Theft & Related offences, which were up by 8% or by 5,354 incidents in the 12 months to Q2 2024, showed that nearly half (49%) of such incidents involved theft from a shop.