Local Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has called on residents to be vigilant as new statistics show a spike in the number of burglaries in the Stepaside area.
“The number of burglaries reported to Stepaside Garda station has increased from 107 in 2010 to 135 in 2011. This was out of a total of 820 crimes reported to Stepaside Garda station in 2011.
“Across Dublin burglaries have increased from 25,448 in 2010 to 27,467 in 2011.
“It is no surprise, that during these economically difficult times, that burglaries are up as people become more desperate to get by. It is therefore vital that residents remain vigilant.
“I have spoken to the Community Guard in Stepaside and he has stressed the need to make sure no bags, wallets or laptops are left in plain sight, to make sure that nothing that could help a burglar like a ladder or shovel are left lying around outside and to report any suspicious activities to the Gardai.
“A common scam doing the rounds sees bogus charity collectors calling to the door to solicit money under false pretenses, on a number of occasions residents have found handbags snatched or valuables stolen as they went to fill in these bogus charity forms. If someone calls to your door collecting for charity, be sure to ask for ID or even a charity collection permit. If they are unable to provide this, be sure to politely decline their requests and contact the Gardai immediately.”