A NEW approach to policing in Limerick, particularly in the city centre, has begun targeting brawling, drug-dealing, drunken behaviour, and shoplifting.
Following the allocation of 12 probationer Gardaí to the Limerick Division, a high-visibility policing (HPV) plan has been instituted in the city.
The HVP presence in Limerick City Centre will come down hard on crime, promising arrests and objections to accused people getting bail if they are repeat offenders, Gardaí said.
“It will increase focus on and a robust approach to policing public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and shoplifting, with a pro-arrest policy for recidivist offenders including strong bail objections where appropriate,” a Garda announcement said.
Gardaí from Henry Street Garda Station and Roxboro Road Garda Station will be deployed on a daily basis on HVPs on eight identified dedicated patrol areas.
Over the period of 8am to 4am each day, up to 15 Gardaí will be deployed on these HVPs, seven on daytime patrols and eight on evening patrols.
The HVPs have been identified following an analysis of calls for service, crime trends, and feedback from the community and businesses in the city.
“An Garda Síochána continues to engage with partners and stakeholders in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure that we are all working collaboratively to keep people safe.
Resources assigned to the HVP foot patrols in Limerick City will be supported by wider resources from the Limerick Division including frontline policing units, roads policing unit, and detective and plain clothes Gardaí,” Gardaí said.
Community policing Gardaí also remain in place and will continue to support public engagement and offer crime prevention advice to members of the public, residents, and the business community, Gardaí confirmed.
Speaking about the launch of the plan, Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster of the Southern Region said she was “delighted that a high-visibility policing plan has now been extended to Limerick City”.
“The 12 additional probationer Gardaí allocated from the Garda College, working alongside other colleagues, will bring a high visibility and energetic Garda presence to Limerick City Centre and offer public reassurance that public realms and amenities are and continue to be safe places to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy.”
Chief Superintendent of Limerick Garda Division, Derek Smart, plan said: “These members, working with other colleagues and the high-visibility policing plan will build on the extensive work and excellent policing already existing within Limerick Garda Division and provided by the dedicated Gardaí attached to the Division.”
“I look forward to seeing the implementation of these high-visibility patrols and to work with our key stakeholders in the city to develop and support this policing plan building on and developing Limerick City Centre as a safe place to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy.”