Crime

67% Increase in Post Office Robberies Last Year An Post Security Chief Tells Oireachtas Committee

Rise in “Security Incidents” from 60 to 100 in 2009 Worrying-Oireachtas Communications Committee


12 May 2010

There was a significant increase in the number of security incidents at Post Offices in 2009, An Post's Head of Security told a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources today.

Mr Jim Daly, Retail Director, and Steve Clements, Head of Security, told Committee members that there has been a sharp rise in what they termed “security incidents” from 60 in 2008 to 100 such incidents in 2009.

However, they pointed out that this figure represents a total number of these episodes, many of which were unsuccessful as there was no cash loss. In fact, the associated cash losses caused by these incidents showed no material increase.

The Committee were informed that An Post had invested over €15 million in upgrading its security network since 2005. This measure had an immediate impact on crime levels which fell in 2006 and continued to fall in 2007 and early 2008. However, Mr Daly pointed out that crime had risen last year and is continuing in an upward trend in 2010.

Mr Daly also stated that these trends reflected national developments. According to the Central Statistics Office, recorded robbery on institutions rose by almost 10%, Post Office robberies account for 4% of this total.

Committee Chairman, MJ Nolan TD said;
“The rise in robberies and security incidents in post offices is a worrying trend. These incidents can be extremely traumatic for post office staff and customers who find themselves caught up in these distressing events.

We learnt today the post offices are also victims of emerging crime threats such as tiger kidnappings. It is clear that continuing investment in technology and surveillance is needed throughout our post office network in order to counter this threat.

These days, post offices are places where people carry out a wide range of business and functions. Therefore, it is important that post offices are places where people can feel secure and unthreatened while conducting their affairs.”

The Committee was told that An Post had invested in providing post offices with appropriate security aids. Each post office is now equipped with time locked safes, CCTV, panic buttons and alarms. They also liaise closely with the Gardai and have conducted a series of training seminars.