Reported crimes of thefts from moved and parked vehicles has dropped across the county in 2019 but Gardaí are reminding members of the public to ensure their cars are locked at night.

In comparison with 2018 figures, MPV thefts have reduced by 63 percent (all of Clare), 59 percent (Ennis District) and 69 percent (Kilrush).

Speaking at the April meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee, Supt Brendan McDonagh outlined that several parked cars at GAA grounds across the county were robbed in 2018. “We had problems last year of people braking into cars at GAA clubs and people leaving items visible in their cars”.

According to McDonagh “60% of cars in Ennis estates were found to be open” in cases were parked cars were targeted by thieves at night. While large sums of money were not left in the vehicles, “change in the ashtrays” was collated by the groups conducting the robberies.

Sixmilebridge councillor and former shop owner, John Crowe appealed to the Gardaí to “do whatever they can to help shops” as there has been a 28 percent increase of thefts at shops in the county so far this year.

49 cases of reported thefts from shops have been recorded in Ennis so far in 2019 while there has been a 175 percent rise in such cases in Kilrush.

“I know exactly what it is like for thefts in shops, the 20 percent that is there you could add another 20 percent to it,” Cllr Crowe estimated. “It is rampant now, it is very difficult for businesses to ascertain what is being taken from them”.

McDonagh replied, “In the modern day shop, counters tend to be at the back. We’re in the era where shops are bigger, CCTV is a big thing and that’s the era we’re at. We have sent our crime prevention officer to the shops”.

Independent representative, PJ Ryan praised the Gardaí for their efforts in “improving the situation” at Bunratty, Cllr Ryan felt the area had become “a blackspot” for thefts.