Collins: Garda stats 'take no account of crime prevention'
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins has called on Justice Minister Alan Shatter not to use the latest figures for recorded crime as a stick to beat the Gardaí with.
Collins was speaking after figures released by the CSO today revealed that most Garda stations throughout the country record one crime or less per day.
“Gardaí as a security presence in the community do a lot more than simply record crime. These statistics take no account of crime prevention associated with having a Garda presence," Collins said.
"Also, many of the rural Garda stations are only open for a few hours a day or a couple of days a week. Crimes committed in the catchment area when these stations are closed are not attributed to them, which may distort the figures.
“Our fear is that Minister Shatter will use this data to continue his attack on local communities and close more Garda stations. Statistics are one thing but the protection and safety of the communities in towns and villages across the country is another and cannot be put in jeopardy."
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