Crimes increase after Covid pandemic

The number of burglaries in Cavan is increasing but is still well below the figure pre-covid.

A breakdown of crime figures for the county shows 74 burglary offences recorded in Cavan so far this year, that’s up from 63 over the same period in 2021.

However, this year’s total is well down on that recorded in 2019, the last full year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 159 burglary offences were recorded in Cavan that year.

Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern noted many crime categories are on the increase across the county.

“They are on a rise but not as high as pre-Covid,” he told the recent Joint Policing Committee meeting.

He noted the increase but said he was “hopeful” the figure would remain relatively low.

The Chief Superintendent branded a rise of over 100 in the number of public order offences “a concern”.

A total of 355 such incidents were recorded in 2022, up from 250 last year. It’s also up by 10 on the figure recorded in 2019.

Chief Supt McGovern said the increase could in part be attributed to society reopening after the pandemic. He noted this year’s figure is “very similar” to that recorded pre-covid.

The number of assaults has also increased this year. More serious assaults, assault causing harm, is up by 15 to 89 so far this year. Minor assault offences are also up, from 147 last year to 185 in 2022.

The work of the newly formed Divisional Protective Services Unit was also noted by the Chief Superintendent.

A rise in the number of sexual offences recorded, from 46 to 59, he felt was partly due to the work of the unit in ensuring people feel safe making such accusations.

Drink driving offences rose from 84 to 107, while drug driving cases fell from 58 to 49.

Incidents of criminal damage, not including arson, fell from 223 to 180 so far this year.