BURGLARIES in Bray shot up by more than 40 per cent to almost one per day in the space of a year, new figures have revealed. While overall crime has increased by just one percent in the town, there were 364 burglaries, an increase of 43 per cent on 2008.

Thefts from the person remained static at just 13, while thefts from shops showed a staggering increase of 45 per cent, to 205 from 151.

Superintendent Michael Lernihan released the statistic for the Bray area, noting that the overall picture in terms of incidents of crime was not so bleak.

'In 2008 we had 4,577 crime incidents,' he said. 'In 2009 there were 4,646. That is a change of 69 and a rise of just one per cent.'

On the staggering increase in burglaries and thefts, Supt. Lernihan said that in the winter months there had been a 'marked increase,' despite crime prevention efforts. BURGLARIES IN Bray have shot up by more than 40 per cent in Bray to almost one per day in the space of a year, new figures have revealed.

While overall crime has increased by just 1 percent in the town, there were 364 burglaries, an increase of 43 per cent on 2008..

The increase in Bray contrasts markedly with neighbouring Greystones where robberies have declined by 75 per cent.

In Bray, thefts from the person remained static at just 13 over the course of the 12month period, while thefts from shops showed a staggering increase of 45 per cent, to 205 from 151.

While robberies increased by one quarter, that was a relatively small rise from 20 to 25.

Superintendent Michael Lernihan released the statistic for the Bray area, noting that the overall picture in terms of incidents of crime was not so bleak.

'In 2008 there we had 4,646 crime incidents,' he said. 'In 2009 there were 4,646. That is a change of 67 and a rise of just 1 per cent.'

On the large increase in burglaries and thefts, Supt. Lernihan said that in the winter months there had been a ' marked increase,' in burglaries despite crime prevention efforts.

- Mary FOGARTY