There has been a 31% increase in the number of homicides and related offences in the last 12 months, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

The latest Recorded Crime report by the CSO found there has been an increase in homicide, theft and robbery crimes in the last 12 months up to the second quarter of 2023. 

Recorded homicide and related offences were up by 71, an increase of 17 compared to the same time last year. 

Murders in particular increased from 24 to 47. 

Attempts/threats to murder, assault and harassment fell by 2% in the year to Q2 2023 when compared with Q2 2022. 

The number of male victims of assault and harassment fell by 1%, while the number of female victims fell by 3%. 

Offences involving robbery, extortion and hijacking increased by 410 (21%) to 2,328 incidents. 

Crimes recorded as "theft and related offences" increased by 25% to 71,284 in the year to Q2 2023 compared with the previous year. Theft from shops, which contributed to nearly half of this increase, was up by 27% over the year. 

Sexual offences were up by 1% to 3,658 incidents over the same period. 

Most offences of recorded crime increased compared to the previous 12 months, including “damage to property and the environment” up by 7% and controlled drug offences increasing by 6%. 

Decrease in fraud

Crime incidents involving “fraud, deception and related offences” decreased by 37% to 10,300 over the last 12 months.

The CSO said this decrease is mostly due to a fall in incidents of unauthorised transactions and attempts to obtain personal or banking information online or by phone. 

Kidnapping and related offences also decreased by 21 (13%) compared to the previous 12 months, along with “dangerous and negligent acts” down by 11% and burglary down by 8%. 

The CSO figures published today are done so under reservation, meaning they don't meet the requirements of official statistics.