August crime statistics

The August rolling year crime statistics also reveal declines in homicides and related offences and several categories of theft, while residential and non-residential break-ins have again risen slightly.

Significantly, the statistics also reveal another large increase in the number of incidents in which police are assaulted while on duty.

While several categories of assault showed decreases, the number of police officers assaulted increased by 25 per cent – from 635 to 793 in the period. This is the twelfth successive increase in such offending.

The rolling year figures show the number of robberies decreased by 13 per cent in the period – from 501 to 438 offences. This followed a 16 per cent decrease the previous period.

Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations Service) David O’Donovan said the targeting of recidivist offenders was responsible for the continuing decline in offending.

“While the decrease is welcome, police are well aware of the ongoing trauma suffered by those subjected to this type of crime and we are working proactively to decrease this risk,’’ he said.

“We have been successful in both having alleged offenders remanded in custody or having stringent bail conditions imposed on them, including curfews, to restrict their activities.

“Indicators are the vast majority of these incidents are carried out by individuals robbing soft targets of cash to buy drugs and alcohol.’’

Within the theft category, theft from retail premises has continued to decline with a three per cent decrease – or 682 offences – from 22,439 to 21,757 incidents. Motor vehicle theft and related offences remained steady with an increase of just four offences – from 11,259 to 11,263 incidents.

The number of break-ins has continued to rise following a sustained period of significant decreases. The rolling year figures reveal residential break-ins increased by 363 offences in the period – from 5,584 to 5,947 – while non-residential break-ins increased by 122 offences – from 3,391 to 3,513 offences in the period.

Homicide and related offences declined by 21 per cent in the period – or 11 offences – from 53 to 42 reported incidents.

Within that category murder decreased by one offence – from nine to eight offences – attempted murder decreased by four offences – from 21 to 17 offences – and manslaughter or driving cause death decreased by six offences – from 23 to 17 incidents.

Sexual offences recorded a slight increase of 14 offences – from 2,704 to 2,718 incidents reported in the period.