Latest news with #CrimeVictimsHelpline
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Crime Victims Helpline reported 66% increase in calls relating to theft last year
THE CRIME VICTIMS Helpline reported a 15% increase in incoming calls last year, as well as a 66% increase in contacts related to theft. There was also a 46% increase in the number of calls related to burglary, according to its 2024 annual report . The Crime Victims Helpline (CVH) is a national support service for victims of crime in Ireland. It offers support to anyone who has been impacted by crime, regardless of the nature of the crime, when the crime happened, or whether it has been reported to gardaí. While incoming calls increased by 15% last year, the CVH said it was 'delighted to note' a decline in missed calls, down 29%, as well as a decrease in voicemails, down 30%. The CVH said this highlights how it has taken steps to expand capacity by increasing helpline opening hours and strengthening its volunteer programme. Contacts in relation to theft-related incidents rose by 66% (133 contacts in 2024 compared to 80 in 2023) and burglary related contacts rose by 46% (115 in 2024 compared with 79 in 2023). Theft is the act of unlawfully taking someone's property while burglary involves trespassing into a building with the intent to commit a crime. There were also a further 54 calls made in relation to car theft. Meanwhile, contacts in relation to assault and harassment / stalking continued to be main types of crime that contact was made in relation to last year, with 44 contacts being made in relation to racist hate crimes – up from 15 in 2023. Advertisement However, the report found that there was a decline in contacts related to 'sextortion', which is a type of online blackmail involving a threat to share sexual pictures, videos, or information. The CVH said there was a 'large increase' in calls relating to sextortion in 2023 and this decrease 'may signal a shift in crime patterns or public engagement on these issues'. The report also found that Dublin once more accounted for the most amount of contacts at 39% of location-identified calls, above its 28.3% share of the national population. Cork followed with 9.2% of contacts while Galway, Limerick and Kildare contributed between 3.5% and 5% of contacts. Elsewhere, the CVH made over 3,500 referrals last year to a number of different organisations, supports and resources, with the vast majority of referrals being made to the Gardaí and Garda Victim Service Offices. Michele Puckhaber, Chief Executive of the CVH, said that the 'significant increase in contacts relating to theft and burglary showcases a shift in crime patterns during the past year'. Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said his department is 'committed to supporting the Crimes Victims Helpline as it expands its capacity through longer helpline hours and a strengthened volunteer programme'. The CVH is open from 10am to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am to 5pm on Friday. The helpline also opened from 2pm to 4pm on Saturdays and Bank Holidays and it closed on Sundays. It also provides an interpreter service from Monday to Friday. Callers can call the Helpline at any time outside these hours and leave a message, and the call will be returned when the Helpline reopens. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Calls from victims of theft to helpline surged 66% last year, new report finds
The number of victims of theft seeking support last year from the Crime Victims Helpline surged by 66%, according to its annual report. The Crime Victims Helpline assists victims of crime by providing information and support to callers. Last year, it dealt with 6,869 contacts, up from 6,507 the previous year. The most common reason for contacts was assault, accounting for 623 contacts. Harassment and stalking accounted for 595 contacts to the service. However, the report highlighted the number of contacts regarding thefts rose from 80 in 2023 to 133 last year. The report also noted burglary contacts increased from 79 to 115, a jump of 46%. The report highlights a lack of dedicated services for 'so-called general crimes — such as theft, burglary, robbery and assault — beyond victim support at court, which only provides assistance during trial proceedings'. 'This leaves a significant number of crime victims without practical, in-person support for essential needs like meeting with gardaí or completing compensation applications. In response, CVH [Crime Victims Helpline] has drafted a pilot proposal to provide enhanced support services for victims of these undeserved crimes,' it said. Analysis of crime figures in Cork City and county by the Irish Examiner in recent days highlighted theft is the most common crime in Cork City — particularly in the city centre. Anglesea Street Garda Station received 1,309 reports of thefts and related offences among the 3,328 crimes recorded by the station last year. Bridewell Garda Station handled 1,743 crime reports last year, including 696 thefts and related offences, while Watercourse Road Garda Station dealt with 537 reported thefts offences among a total of 1,524 crimes in the same 12-month period. Racist hate crime The number of contacts received by the Crime Victims Helpline about racist hate crimes almost trebled last year, according to the report. The report outlines it received 44 reports of racist hate-related crimes in 2024 – up from 15 in 2023, describing it as a 'an alarming increase'. It comes as the Indian Embassy in Ireland has warned its citizens about an increase 'in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently'. The statement on the embassy's website says: 'The embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned of Ireland in this regard. At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours." The warning followed two recent incidents in Dublin, in which two Indian men were targeted. In one, a man was attacked by a gang of youths in Sean Walsh Park, near the Square in Tallaght, and his phone was stolen. In the second incident, in Parkhill Lawns, Kilnamanagh, an Indian man was stripped of his trousers and sustained serious injuries, including lacerations to his face and head. Gardaí are investigating that incident as a possible hate-motivated crime. Garda figures for last year showed a 4% increase in hate crimes and hate-related incidents — up from 651 in 2023 to 676 in 2024. The figures related to any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person 'to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender', according to gardaí.
