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THERE has been an increase in all areas of crime in Kerry in the first nine months of this year, with the number of assaults up significantly.
The latest figures were revealed at the Joint Policing Committee meeting in Cahersiveen on Friday.
There were modest increases in Property Crime (2%) and Criminal Damage and Public Order (3%), Drugs and Offensive Weapons were up by 8%, but Crimes Against The Person offences were up by 24% from January to September compared to the same period in 2017.
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Murder threats were down from nine to three, but assaults causing harm rose by 21% from 96 to 116, while minor assaults was up by 24%, from 228 to 283.
Arson cases fell from 14 to 9, but criminal damage offences rose from 222 to 272 (23%). Public order cases fell from 607 to 549 (-10%) but drunkenness rose by 12%, from 412 to 461.
Possession of drugs for sale or supply fell by -13% from 77 to 67. Possession for personal use was up by 6%, from 354 t0 377.
There were two fatal traffic collisions in Kerry so far this year, down from four in 2017 while ‘serious injury’ traffic collisions were up 50%, from 18 to 27.
There was a slight drop in drink driving offences, from 215 down to 206 (-6%) and driving under the influence of drugs offences were down from 14 to 13.
