The closure of rural Garda stations has made social isolation worse and increased people's fear of crime, according to a new report from the Oireachtas Justice Committee.
It's recommending more patrols and better funding for text alert systems and the roll-out of CCTV to help tackle rural crime.
The report is also calling for rural areas that lost Garda stations and a regular police presence during the financial crisis to have vacant positions filled.
Those same areas should also receive priority for new resources, including by redeploying Gardaí from administrative posts to front-line district roles.
The report states the following should lead to a reduction in rural crime:
- Gardaí should boost rural patrolling and hold regular meetings in community centres to counteract social isolation in communities where Garda stations have closed.
- Communities should install CCTV monitoring with the assistance of more advance funding and streamlined grant applications. Legislation could clarify the role of State agencies in oversight of CCTV schemes and data management.
- Combatting cross-border crime will require more interagency co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI, customs authorities, and the relevant government departments on both sides of the border.
- Muintir na Tíre should receive renewed funding for its Community Alert and Text Alert schemes aimed at easing rural isolation and the fear of crime.
- The IFA-operated Theftstop programme, which puts unique ID marks on property, should be expanded to include CESAR scanning equipment for police to track and locate stolen property across Europe.
- Gardaí should use social media more effectively to drive engagement with isolated communities.
Michelle Puckhaber from the Crime Victims Helpline says many people in rural Ireland feel isolated due to a reduced Garda presence in their community.
Puckhaber says all they are looking for is a quick and compassionate response from Gardai.
