Cases Of Assault Drop Nearly 25% In Midlands County

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 06:46

A Joint Policing Committee meeting heard instances of drug possession are also down.

A reduction in assault cases in Laois is being hailed by officers in the county.

Figures from the latest Joint Policing Committee meeting show incidents of crime against the person are down by almost a quarter year-on-year.

Members were told incidents of assault causing harm were down by nearly two thirds in the final quarter of last year, when compared to the same period in 2022.

Minor assault reports were also down significantly, with a reduction of 18% being recorded year-on-year.

Presenting the figures to the committee, Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan says crimes of this nature are a focus for Gardai in the county.

He says he hopes to see the positives of these reductions around communities, and as people go about their daily business.

Elsewhere, possession of drugs for sale or supply cases fell from 25 to 16, while instances of the possession of offensive weapons has increased from three to 12.

However, Chief Superintendent Lonergan says the rise in the latter of those cases is a result of proactive policing.