At PhoneWatch, we welcome the significant fall in burglaries seen in 2020. Annually, a total of 10,938 burglaries occurred nationwide in 2020 representing a 35% decrease. This fall coincides with an overall reduction in crime rates in 2020 linked to COVID-19 restrictions. Recent years have also seen an increase in the number of households opting for monitored alarm systems and indicates householders are paying heed to the warnings, being vigilant, and taking sensible precautions to make their homes more secure.
We have conducted a detailed analysis of the CSO Recorded Crime Statistics for our PhoneWatch 2020 Burglary Report. Key findings include:
- A burglary takes place in Ireland every 48 minutes
- Dublin accounted for 47% of all burglaries (5,162)
- Pearse St Garda Station in Dublin was Ireland's busiest station with 390 burglaries
- 48 Garda stations did not receive any reports of a burglary last year
- While burglary fell across the majority of the country, almost 21% of Garda stations recorded increases in burglaries last year.
- The highest increases were in Fitzgibbon St, Dublin, Portlaw, Waterford, Bridewell, Cork and Clogherhead, Louth.
- Homes with a monitored burglar alarm are four times safer than those without.
Speaking about the most recent figures for 2020, Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch said “The decrease in the rate of burglary for 2020 is welcome, and it is very positive to see it follow on from a slight decrease in 2019 also. However, burglary unfortunately remains all too common and should highlight to every householder the importance of taking sensible security precautions on a daily basis.
“A monitored alarm continues to be among the most effective ways to protect homes. Our alarm technology and instant monitoring continue to act as a significant, and highly effective, deterrent to potential burglars. The statistics show that a PhoneWatch home is a safer home and is four times less likely to be a victim of burglary. ”