Shock rise in Meath crime

 A MASSIVE surge in crime levels across County Meath has led to emergency calls for additional garda resources.

Property theft across the county has increased by a whopping 59 per cent, a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee learned on Monday. 
At the meeting which was attended by Chief Supt Fergus Healy, it emerged that both burglary and theft in shops increased by a massive 44 per cent this year while criminal damage has risen by 31 per cent.
Criminal damage caused by arson has also risen to 36 incidents, with the majority of those burned out cars.
Property crime has increased by 39 per cent with 1,359 incidents reported thus far while general theft of property was up by 59 per cent.
Assaults are also up by eight per cent, with 293 reported incidents this year although crimes against the public rose by just one per cent.
Deputy Shane Cassells has called for proper resourcing for Garda management in Meath to tackle the rising surge in crime or they will be left fighting a “losing battle”.