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garda warning
The most dangerous time for mobile phone theft is between 10pm and 4am at weekends
Gardaí are boosting patrols in danger areas as part of a new campaign.
TWO OUT OF five mobile phone thefts happen late at night or in the early hours of the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, gardaí have said.
The force’s Garda Síochána Analysis Service released the stats today as part of a personal safety campaign which will run throughout March. The ‘Streetwise’ campaign is targeting 18 to 39 year-olds with a message to mind their personal property and possessions – particularly on nights out.
GSAS found:
- 2 in 5 thefts occur between 10am and 4am between Friday and Sunday
- Two-thirds of ALL thefts and robberies involve mobile phones being stolen
- 3 in 4 victims of phone theft are aged between 18 and 39
- There were 5,703 phone thefts in 2016, down 14% on 2015
- 498 phones were reported stolen last March, compared to 641 in 2015
- €2.5m worth of mobile phones were stolen in 2016
“This campaign is a reminder to people to be streetwise when out in public as 40% of all thefts and robberies took place on a street, road or footpath with a further 20% taking place in a licensed premises or restaurant-type location,” Sergeant Kelvin Courtney said, in a press-released comment.
“We want people to enjoy their nights out and the best way to do that is to have a plan.
Think about how you are getting to and from a location. Let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back. Avoid walking alone and in dark locations. Never engage with drunk or aggressive people, use your brain not your fist. Finally be streetwise, take care of your property, particularly mobile phones and purses or wallets. Mind yourselves, mind your stuff and have a plan.
The Garda public awareness campaign will include advertising outdoor, indoor and digital advertising. On social media the force will be promoting the campaign with the #mindyourstuff hashtag.
There will also be increased patrolling at night in locations identified as having high levels of robberies and assaults.
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