#NorthInnerCity Garda Operation to tackle assaults & knife crime

Following on from the recent trouble in the city with knife crime and the particular concerns raised by residents across the North Inner City about the situation, I sought updates from the Gardai in respect of measures being taken to tackle the problem as well as other operations and initiatives that been put in place. Across the next week to ten days, I will be posting details of the updates I have received and would welcome any feedback, thoughts or indeed, suggestions for other action you feel may be necessary.

The Gardai have had Operation Soteria in place for some time and its purpose is to ensure:

• A reduction of assaults in public
• Reduce fear of assault within communities
• Prioritise assault investigations
• Focus on problem areas and hotspots
• Targeting knife crimes in areas where it is shown to be relevant and necessary

The operation is based upon five Principles for Implementation, including:

• Commitment to protecting people and communities
• Awareness and education as a crime prevention technique
• Policing operational efficiency
• Location management by working in partnership
• Offender management

Gardaí across the North Inner City have engaged with schools, youth programmes and colleges as part of this Operation. Obviously, however, Covid-19, such engagement has been hampered. Local Gardaí have also engaged with owners of pubs, clubs, etc regarding the initiative, particularly during the divisional licensed premises inspections.

Community Gardaí, last September and November, gave presentations to 250 Medical Students in Croke Park and to Transition Year students in St. Paul’s CBS and Stanhope Street Girls’ School. These presentations highlighted the dangers of assault and knife as well as the consequences for engaging in this behaviour as part of the “USE YOUR BRAIN, NOT YOUR FISTS” campaign.

I understand, from information supplied to me, that there have 241 recorded arrests associated with Operation Soteria between December 3^rd 2019 and February 17^th 2021 within the North Inner City.

In the coming days, I will share with you a briefing on Operation Cribbage that has been in place in the Dublin 1 area.

Do get in touch with me if you have any questions or queries arising from the details provided above.