Incidents of shoplifting across county Mayo continue to rise, with 186 incidents detected by Gardai in the county over the past year.

Detective Inspector Denis Harrington gave the latest crime figures in the county to members of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee meeting yesterday (Friday).

There were 24 sexual offences detected, that’s down 10 from the previous year.

There were 166 cases of assault , up 34 on the previous year.

Robberies were down from 3, to 1.

Burglaries were up by 11, to 64 cases.

However, the biggest rise came under the category Theft which includes shoplifting where 186 cases of shoplifting were detected. Theft generally rose by a third over the twelve months, up 93 cases to 284 incidents in total.

Garda Superintendent Gabriel  Moran admitted that the rise in the incidents of shoplifting is of concern. He says gardai have identified a small number of serial offenders in response, and a number of them are now before the courts.

Minister Dara Calleary said many businesses are struggling post Covid and do not need the additional problem of shoplifting.

He asked the gardai to contact local Chambers of Commerce to discuss the best ways to prevent the crime on shop floors.