Burglaries Drop After Last Year’s Rise — But Fraud Surges

Monday, 26 May 2025 12:36

By Martin Osborne

Gardai have told Kfm that a regional breakdown of the figures is not available.

There’s been a shift in the types of crimes Gardaí are responding to across the country so far this year.

Newly published figures show a drop in burglaries across the country - but online fraud is surging.

Gardai have told Kfm that a regional breakdown of the figures is not yet available.

Nationally, residential burglaries fell by 17% in the first three months of this year - with Gardaí saying their winter crackdown, Operation Thor, continues to have a major impact.

It’s now recorded a 75% drop in break-ins since it launched a decade ago.

Property crime in general is down — with thefts from people, aggravated burglary, and shoplifting all falling.

But fraud is rising fast — up 61% compared to the same time last year.

Cases of online auction scams and fake tradespeople have more than doubled.

Gardaí say the surge was expected, as large volumes of reports are still being processed.

Meanwhile, CSO statistics published in March reported a substantial increase in burglaries and related offences last year.

The largest rate of increase for incidents involving burglary and related offences was for the Southern region at 23%, followed by the Eastern region, including Kildare - up 9%.

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