13 gardai to patrol seven dedicated Galway city areas daily from today under new policing plan

Officers from Mill Street and Salthill garda stations will be deployed daily to patrol the seven dedicated areas from 8am right through until 4am.

The policing plan - known for short as HVP which has seen great success in Dublin, Limerick and Cork - has been called into action following worrying crime trends in those areas as well as calls and feedback from the community and businesses in the city.

HVP presence will crackdown on public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and shoplifting and also carries a pro-arrest policy for repeat offenders and strong bail objections.

Gardai hope the introduction of the HVP across the city and Salthill will help continue to make the areas a safe place to live, visit, socialise and conduct business.

Twenty-eight new gardai have also been deployed to the Galway Division through transfers and allocation of probationer gardai.

These officers on the beat will be supported by the Galway Garda Roads Policing Unit; the Public Order Unit as well as detective and plain clothes gardai.

A Garda Community Engagement Van will be deployed to locations around Galway City too while Community Policing Garda Units will also remain in place to to continue to build support networks between gardai and the public.

Speaking about the launch of the Galway City High Visibility Policing Plan, Assistant Commissioner Clíona Richardson of the Garda North Western Region said: "I welcome the introduction of this permanent High Visibility Policing Plan in Galway City and Salthill.

“The additional Garda presence will provide reassurance to the community, strengthen our response to crime and anti-social behaviour and help ensure that Galway remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work, visit and socialise.

"This initiative demonstrates the positive impact of increased Garda resources and operational experience, while also reflecting our commitment to working closely with local communities, businesses and partners to keep people safe.”

Acting Chief Superintendent of Galway Garda Division, Damien Flanagan, added: “I am delighted we have received this significant level of resources from the Garda Commissioner, supported by Assistant Commissioner Richardson.

“We look forward to putting these additional resources to work supporting our citizens, the businesses that operate here and the many visitors who come to enjoy our city.

“A strong, visible Garda presence will help people feel safe, supported and confident in going about their daily lives and enjoying all that the city has to offer."

Superintendent Finbarr Philpott, Galway City Community Engagement finished by saying: "This is an important development for policing in Galway and one that I believe will make a real difference on the ground.

“The plan has been shaped by a clear understanding of the issues affecting the city and by listening to the concerns of the local community and business sector.

“I want to thank our recently retired Chief Superintendent, Gerry Roche, for his support in the roll-out of this plan.”