CSO crime figures show increases in theft and fraud in Kilkenny as burglary figures fall

There was a noticeable increase in incidents of theft, fraud and drug offences in the Kilkenny Garda Division in 2019, however, burglaries overall decreased.

The figures were revealed in the Crime Statistics for Kilkenny published today by the Central Statistics Office.

The number of fraud cases in the Kilkenny Garda Division increased by more 20% year on year with 161 frauds reported last year as opposed to 128 for the whole of 2018.

Burglaries in Kilkenny were down significantly with just 355 reported in 2019, down from 409 in 2018. Despite this figure, there was a huge spike in burglaries in the last quarter of 2019 where 127 were reported, up from 83 on the previous quarter, a more than 50% jump.

Sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault remained much the same, 103 incidents reported last year as opposed to 101 for 2018.

Drug offenses, including possession for personal, possession for sale and supply, as well as controlled drug offenses were marginally up, just 22 more cases recorded year on year – 612 incidents over the last 12 months, up from 590.

The number of incidents of public order offences and anti-social behaviour remained pretty much unchanged, while there was a small increase in thefts over the last year with 1,260 incidents reported, up from 1,222 on the previous 12 months.

Assaults, attempted murders and cases of harassment were down by more than 5% on the previous 12 months, as were driving offences including drink driving, drug driving and dangerous driving.

The figures were taken from the year starting January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.