Garda Visibility
 
Over half of people say Garda presence was "not enough" in their local area.

A recent survey revealed that  54 per cent of respondents say they felt that Garda presence was not enough in their local area.

Last month the Leitrim Observer reported that following a meeting with the acting Superintendent, executive staff from An Garda Síochána and staff from the Council housing office, it was decided that an increased “Garda presence in Mohill” would be sought.

However the survey also showed a number of positive findings such as the number of people that believe local crime is "not a problem” has risen by 13 per cent since 2019 to 45 per cent, according to the 2022 Garda Public Attitude Survey.

The figure is much higher than in both 2018 and 2019 (31% and 32% respectively) and similar to 2021 (46%).
 
According to respondents, national crime is seen as more of a problem than local crime.
49 per cent of people said they did not worry about becoming a victim of crime and most respondents (63%) reported having "no fears” or "very few fears” about crime  with the majority (58%) saying fear of crime had no impact on their quality of life.
 
The Garda Public Attitude Survey of 7,699 people, aged 18 years and over, and 389 young people (16 and 17) was undertaken in the second half of 2022 (August-December) by Behaviour and Attitudes (B&A) on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
 
Trust in An Garda Síochána remains high at 90 per cent with 75 per cent of respondents satisfied with Garda services provided to local communities. The highest level of satisfaction with Garda service was greatest for those aged 65 years and older, and for 18-24 year olds (78 per cent and 80 per cent respectively).
 
In general, 90 per cent said they were treated with respect by An Garda Síochána and 75 per cent said Gardaí would treat you fairly regardless of who you are and listen to concerns of local people (76 per cent) as well as address the things that matter to local communities (74 per cent).
 
91 per cent of respondents said that sexual offences should be the top policing priority with domestic abuse also rated as a high priority by 89 per cent of respondents. Human trafficking, illegal weapons and assaults featured highly across all demographics in terms of priorities for An Garda Síochána.

 
Speaking on the publication of the results today, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said, "Protecting victims of crime and continuing to strengthen our trusted relationship with the communities that we serve are extremely important for An Garda Síochána.

"I am pleased that the efforts of Community Engagement Units and Community Gardaí are having such a positive impact on how younger generations see our police service, and that they know that we are here to help."
 
The Commissioner added, "Our ability to maintain one of the highest levels of public trust in a police service in the world, which is underscored by this survey, is an essential component of modern policing and in achieving our mission of keeping people safe.”
Other key findings of An Garda Síochána Public Attitudes Survey for 2022:

Victims of Crime
 
The victimisation rate for 2022 is 5.4 per cent, a decrease of 1.1 per cent on the 2021 survey with an 83 per cent reporting rate to Gardaí in 2022, an increase on 80 per cent in 2019 and 81 per cent in 2021.
 
Most victims of crime stated that the Gardaí responded quickly (61 per cent). 

Fear and Worry about Crime

63 per cent of persons surveyed have no fears or very few fears about crime levels in Ireland with 25 per cent of people surveyed worried about being a victim of personal injury, property theft or damage and cybercrime. 

Treatment by An Garda Síochána
 
72 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Gardaí in their area can be relied on to be there when they are needed.
 
60 per cent of those surveyed disagreed with the statement that ‘community relations with the Gardaí are poor’. 
 
Perceptions of An Garda Síochána
 
79 per cent agreed that An Garda Síochána is focused on human rights
 
Young People and An Garda Síochána
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Young people (aged 16 and 17) expressed 90% trust in An Garda Síochána with 87 per cent feeling satisfied with the service provided by An Garda Síochána to communities.
 
86 per cent also agreed they would be treated with respect by Gardaí; 74% felt they would be treated fairly.
The 2022 Garda Public Attitudes Survey can be found here https://www.garda.ie/!7L32X4( English) or https://www.garda.ie/!AHFZY4( Irish).