Recorded Crime Q2 2020

Recorded Crime statistics for Q2 2020 begin to show the impact on Recorded Crime levels of measures introduced to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The number of crimes recorded in the category Burglary and related offences fell by 2,180 (-13.1%) to 14,406 in the year to Q2 2020 compared with the previous year. The number of Theft and related offences dropped by 7,655 (-11.3%) while the number of Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences decreased by 235 (-9.8%). See Table 1.1.

The number of crime incidents classified as Controlled drug offences increased by 2,714 incidents (+13.5%) in the year to Q2 2020 relative to the previous year, while the number of Weapons and explosives offences also increased, up 305 (+11.7%).

The number of incidents of Sexual offences fell by 369 (-11.1%) over the 12 months to June compared to the previous year. Homicides and related offences fell by 4, however some care should be taken when interpreting this fall as the more recent figure may rise as investigations into fatal road traffic collisions conclude. The number of incidents of Murder or Manslaughter increased by one over the year. Further breakdown of the data in Table 1.1 is provided in Chapter 3.

It is important to stress that the figures in Table 1.1 reflect the twelve months to the end of June 2020 compared to the corresponding period to the end of June 2019. Supplementary tables are included later in this chapter comparing figures from Q2 2020 alone with the corresponding period in 2019. See Tables 1.2 and 1.3.

Not included in the statistical tables are recorded crime incidents associated with breaches of the Health Act 1947 which, in the period up to June 2020, resulted from the enforcement of movement restrictions relating to COVID-19. During Q2 2020 there were 281 such incidents. The CSO continues to engage with An Garda Síochána regarding the nature of these incidents, with a view to classifying them appropriately in future publications. 

Recorded Crime figures for April to June 2020 were dramatically impacted by the general lockdown and restrictions on movement measures introduced by Government in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

There were 2,025 fewer incidents of Burglary and related offences recorded in Q2 2020 than in Q2 2019, representing a drop of 52.8%. Sharp decreases were also observed in Theft and related offences (down by 38.7%) and for Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences (lower by 29.9%) compared with the equivalent quarter in 2019. See Table 1.2 and Figure 1.2.

The number of Sexual offences recorded in Q2 2020 was 20.5% lower than in Q2 2019, while the number of Attempts/Threats to Murder, assaults, harassments and related offences fell by 15.9%. Criminal damage incidents were lower by 17.5%, while public order incidents were down by 10.8%.

The number of crime incidents classified as Controlled drug offences increased by 658 incidents (+10.5%) in Q2 2020 relative to Q2 2019, while the number of Weapons and explosives offences was also higher by 119 incidents (+16.7%).

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.  Note 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 number of victims of Group 03 incidents (Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences) recorded in Q2 2020 was 989 or 19.2% lower than for the corresponding period in 2019. This fall was mostly accounted for by a reduction in male victims, down 787 (-26%) on Q2 2019. The number of female victims of assault also decreased, but by a smaller figure of 202 (-9.6%). Despite the overall decrease, the number of female victims was higher in age groups 30-44 (up 13, or 1.8%), and 60 or over (up 14, or 18.4%) in Q2 compared to the equivalent period in 2019. See Table 1.3 and Figure 1.3.