Recorded Crime Q4 2021

The number of crime incidents recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE database which were classified as Fraud, deception and related offences increased by 116.1% or 9,095 to 16,929 in the year to Q4 2021. In line with what was reported in the previous Recorded Crime publication, the increase is largely driven by unauthorised transactions and attempts to obtain personal or banking information online or by phone. See Table 1.1 and Figure 1.1.

In general, reported crime fell in the year to Q4 2021. Burglary and related offences were down 21.1% or 2,299 incidents, while Weapons and explosives offences were down 18.5% or 570. The number of incidents of Controlled drugs offences were down 13.1% or 3,035 while Theft and related offences were down 8.4% or 4,291. See Table 1.1 and Figure 1.1.

On the other hand, the number of incidents of Kidnapping and related offences was up by 27.1% or 36 and Sexual offences were up by 12% or 364 incidents. See Table 1.1 and Figure 1.1.

A total of 308 crime incidents were recorded on PULSE for breaches of COVID-19 regulations during Q4 2021. This figure compares to the 539 incidents recorded in Q3 2021 but was significantly lower than in earlier quarters, reflecting the relatively low level of COVID-19 restrictions compared to earlier quarters. The figure includes unpaid fines and other offences but does not include fines which were paid. The offences are not included in the statistical tables in this publication due to difficulties aligning them with the existing statistical classification.

The accelerated increase in the number of crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána which were classified as Fraud, deception and related offences continued during Q4 2021. The number of crime incidents in this category during Q4 2021 was the highest since the CSO began compiling Recorded Crime statistics in 2006. In total, there were 5,247 fraud incidents recorded between October and December 2021 and this was nearly three times the 1,876 fraud incidents recorded a year earlier.

The number of incidents in all but three of the remaining offence groups increased during this period with the highest rate of increase relating to Kidnapping and related offences (+134.6%) albeit the absolute numbers are relatively low. On the other hand, Homicides and related offences fell by 50% or 6 incidents, while Controlled drug offences fell by 25.9% or 1,396 incidents. See Table 1.2 and Figure 1.2.

This section provides additional detail on Group 03 incidents (Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences), as users may be interested in the demographic breakdown of victims of this crime group. It should be noted that the number of victims highlighted in this section will not match the number of incidents in Table 1.2 above as there may, in limited circumstances, be incidents where no injured party is recorded.

The overall number of persons recorded as victims of Group 03 incidents (Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences) during Q4 2021 increased by 19.2% or 843 from the corresponding period in 2020. Male victims showed the highest rate of increase over the year at 23.6% compared to 13.9% for females. Among males, the highest rate of increase was in the 30-44 year age group (+40% or 269) and those aged 18-29 years (+37.5% or 248). On the other hand, the number of victims aged under 18 fell by 5.9% or 27. A somewhat similar pattern was recorded for female victims where, again, the number of victims aged 18 years or over also increased. However, it was the 18-29 year age group which showed the highest rate of increase at 25.2% or 141 and then followed by those aged 30-44 years at 14.4% or 106. The number of recorded victims aged less than 18 years fell by 8.6% or 23. See Table 1.3 and Figure 1.3.