Calls for a Cork cyber-crime unit
Gardaí are "inundated with complaints" about online scammers, Cork Chief Superintendent says.
A local cyber-crimes Garda unit may be needed to tackle the scourge of online scams, Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher has said, speaking at this week’s public Joint Policing Committee council meeting.
Cyber-crime is going unreported because victims feel embarrassed to have fallen for a scam, Mr Kelleher said, adding that the elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the growing volume and variety of phone calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from financial institutions or state agencies.
“I know there’s a national cyber-crimes Garda unit, but is there maybe a need to set up a local cyber crimes unit?” Mr Kelleher asked senior Gardaí present at the online policing meeting.
The Gardaí are “inundated with complaints about cyber-crime,” Chief Superintendent Tom Myers agreed.
The public need to be on their guard, Sergeant Brian McSweeney said.
“We’re having major problems and everyone is getting those calls and texts,” Sgt McSweeney, Cork’s Crime Prevention Officer, said. “We’ve been running a media campaign, and we’re asking people to read up on it, to be informed and to be aware.”
While older people might be particularly vulnerable, “all ages are still clicking on the buttons,” he said. “Many people are still clicking on links.”
There are no plans to introduce regional cyber-crime units at present.
Crime stats in the city
Meanwhile, the number of reports of most crimes have been lower in 2021 than they were in 2020, Chief Superintendent Myers reported to the Joint Policing Committee meeting.
Overall crime in the city is down in nearly all categories for 2021 when compared with 2020, figures presented at the committee meeting showed.
However there have been increases in some areas. There has been a 13% increase in reported rapes and sexual assaults in 2021 over 2020, a 20% increase in possession of drugs for personal use and a 14% increase in public order offences.