Burglaries of homes around Ireland have increased by 4.12% in the twelve months between July 2010 and June 2011, according to the latest eircom PhoneWatch Burglary Report.
The report found that Dublin continues to top Ireland’s burglary table with break-ins to homes in the capital increasing by 13% this year and accounting for 42% of burglaries nationwide.
When this figure is combined with the surrounding commuter belt – taking in counties Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth – that figure climbs to 63% of all burglaries nationwide.
In what will be of some concern to homeowners, this month, November is the most likely time of the year for burglaries to occur with stats showing that – for the fifth year in-a-row – the most likely time of the day to be burgled is between noon and 4pm (23%).
In the last year an average value of €1,868 was taken from each home burgled, which equates to approximately €48 million worth of goods stolen from residential households around Ireland.
Speaking about the Burglary Report, Eoin Dunne, General Manager of eircom PhoneWatch commented: “Over the eleven years that we have reported on burglary in Ireland, one insight remains constant – burglary regardless of boom or bust is a crime phenomenon, which is simply not going away. The figures consistently demonstrate that the vast majority of burglaries take place while the home is occupied, thus increasing the risk of confrontation and personal danger, so it is of particular importance that people become more security aware while they are in the home.”
“This year’s findings also indicate that burglars are more opportunistic than ever gaining entry through front and rear doors and taking lower value items. As November has been found to be the busiest time for burglaries home owners should be aware of the need to keep their home safe and secure, whether they are at home or not,” he stated.
Outside Dublin, the most targeted counties in the last 12 months were Kildare (7.9%), Wicklow (4.9%), Meath (4.2%) and Cork (4%).
Within Dublin, the Southside of the city accounts for 63% of all burglaries committed – an increase on last year’s figure of 53% - while the Northside accounted for 37%, a decrease on last year’s statistic of 47%.
The postcode of South County Dublin is the most burgled area in Dublin (Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Killiney). The areas least likely to be burgled are Dublin 10 (Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard) and Dublin 20 (Chapelizod and Palmerstown).
Other key findings from report include:
