June 3, 2021 3:23 pm
According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Covid-19 lockdown measures contributed to “sharp falls in recorded crime levels” across Ireland in 2020 – rural crime included.
These measures restricted our movements and, with more of us at home all the time, there were fewer instances where the opportunistic thief could strike.
Case in point, ‘theft and related offences’ were down by 16,684 or 24.5% when compared with 2019, according to CSO statistics.
However, as Covid-19 restrictions ease and the country starts to open up again, so too do the opportunities for criminality.
Rural crime – on the rise?
Agriland spoke to Laois-Offaly crime-prevention officer, Sgt. Graham Kavanagh, about rural crime and ways to tighten up on security.