The overall crime rate has dropped by seven per cent in the first six months of the year, according to figures released by the Department of Justice this afternoon.
The figures show "headline crime" dipped from 55,402 reported incidents from January to June 2002, to 51,363 in the same period last year. This represents 4,039 fewer reported incidents, or seven per cent.
Assaults causing harm are down 30 per cent, a drop of 828 cases.
However the figures also show an increase of 46 per cent in the offence of unlawful carnal knowledge and a 20 per cent rise in the number of thefts against the person.
There were three fewer murders in the first half of 2003 representing an 11 per cent drop, but one more case of manslaughter. There was a 16 per cent drop in the number of reported rapes of women.
Headline crime incidents include offences such as murder and rape as well as less-serious crimes such as burglary and theft of a pedal cycle.
The reduction in assaults is being linked to the reduction in alcohol consumption. Some figures suggest consumption has dropped by up to 8 per cent over the last 12 months.
A new Bill, aimed at curbing alcohol abuse and associated crime, is currently before the Oireachtas. The Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 2003, provides for stronger penalties for drink-related offences, wider use of closure orders against pubs that breach the licensing laws and earlier closing time on Thursday nights.
It also proposes a ban on dancing or music during the 30 minutes of drinking-up time, restrictions on access to pubs by young people and a ban on promotional practices designed to encourage excessive alcohol consumption.
The Minister for Justice Mr McDowell is also proposing a ban on people under the age of 18 from licensed premises after 8 p.m.
Mr McDowell warned today's figures need to be "dealt with carefully"
"The category of 'headline crime' is a basket of offences. A bicycle theft spree, for instance, although serious, is counted in the bottom line percentage as numerically equivalent to murders or bank robberies".
Commenting on the number of violent deaths which is down in the first two quarters by two cases overall, Mr McDowell said he was glad to note that there had been no dramatic increase in these categories, and stressed that the Garda had a high success in detection rates for homicide offences.
In January, the Minister established a working party of experts and criminologists under the chairmanship of Mr David Kennedy to report on the general issues of reliability and consistency and significance in crime statistics and has indicated that he is looking forward to their report so that these figures can be seen in a realistic perspective over time.
He emphasised that today's figures are provisional and are subject to validation.
HEADLINE CRIME INCIDENTS, JANUARY - JUNE 2003
Murder
DOWN11%
Manslaughter
UP17%
Rape of female
DOWN16%
Rape Section 4
DOWN34%
Unlawful carnal knowledge
UP46%
Aggravated sexual assault
DOWN64%
Sexual assault
DOWN25%
False imprisonment
DOWN22%
Abduction
DOWN13%
Assault causing harm
DOWN30%
Theft from the person
UP20%
Theft from MPV
DOWN4%
Theft from shop
UP2%
Theft of pedal cycle
UP40%
Theft (other)
DOWN5%
Burglary
DOWN6%
Aggravated burglary
DOWN15%
Robbery of establishment /institution
DOWN19%
Robbery of cash/goods in transit
UP12%
Robbery from the person
DOWN3%
Arson
DOWN6%
Possession of drugs for supply or sale
DOWN15%
Possession of firearms
DOWN16%
Discharge of firearms
DOWN31%
Other headline incidents
DOWN29%
TOTAL
DOWN7%
