---

Crime rates down sharply as virus knock-on effect

Recorded crimes figures have fallen sharply for burglary and related offences, which are down by 3,385 (-20.4%), according to new CSO statistics.

The continued impact of COVID-19 on crime trends is reflected in recorded crime statistics for Q3 2020.

Theft and related offences are down by 12,183 (-17.7%) while robbery, extortion and hijacking offences are down by 281 (-12%), when compared with the previous 12-month period.

There have also been notable decreases in the numbers of crime incidents classified as:

• Sexual offences (-12%),
• Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences (-7.9%),
• Damage to property and to the environment (-9.4%)
• Public order and other social code offences (-7.7%).

Homicide

By contrast, controlled drug offences increased by 1,818 (+8.7%) in the year to Q3 2020, while weapons and explosives offences also rose, up 332 (+12.3%).

Homicide and related offences rose by five in the year to Q3 2020 compared with Q3 in 2019.

The number of incidents of murder or manslaughter increased by one compared with the same period last year.

Breaches of COVID-19 regulations, classified as crime incidents by An Garda Síochána, were not included in the statistics. During Q3 2020, there were 271 such incidents.