A "significant anti-crime measure" for Grafton Street and surrounding areas is due to be announced this morning by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue.
The measure is expected to involve closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, similar to those in operation in Temple Bar and O'Connell Street. The system is also being used in Tralee, Co Kerry, and is being installed in Cork city.
CCTV was first used in Temple Bar in 1995, when eight cameras, relaying footage to Pearse Street Garda Station were installed. According to Garda figures the level of reported "street crime" fell by 50 per cent in the first six months of operation.
Twenty cameras covering O'Connell Street, Henry Street, Talbot Street, Middle Abbey Street, North Earl Street and the north quays were installed last year. The number of cameras increased to 30, with six additional cameras being installed. Footage from the O'Connell Street cameras has been used in at least two murder inquiries, and was used in Operation Clean-streets, when undercover gardai bought heroin from dealers.
The cameras have infra-red capabilities for night-monitoring and are run on a 24-hour basis, with operating gardai able to move the cameras and zoom in to monitor suspect behaviour.
Gardai noticed a reduction in the number of syringe robberies after the installation of cameras on O'Connell Street. The number of syringe robberies has fallen across the city.
