Their analysis of recent record crime statistics from the Central Statistics Office show there were 120 burglaries occurring from April 2022 to March 2023, down six per cent when compared to the same period last year.

While the number of burglaries in Donegal have dropped some counties and regions have experienced significant increases in the number of reported break-ins; In Mayo, burglaries have increased by 20 per cent in the last 12 months, Kildare by 19 per cent and Sligo and Leitrim both experiencing a 17 per cent increase.

In addition, PhoneWatch.ie has also revealed that Ireland has one of the highest levels of monitored home alarms ownership in Europe, with almost 20 per cent of Irish households estimated to have a monitored alarm.

Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch, said “It is reassuring to see that Irish homeowners are maintaining a high level of vigilance when it comes to home security and the risks associated with an invasive home intrusion. Half of all Irish homes have an alarm system of some type, and a large proportion of these are monitored systems, which we know are much more likely to help protect against the threat of burglary.”

As the number of houses increase throughout the country due to population growth, the opportunity for burglars also grows. Recent research undertaken by PhoneWatch reveals that 56 per cent of respondents said that they are more conscious of the risk of burglaries now, compared to 12 months ago. And, with the high cost of living still at the forefront of many people’s minds, it is reassuring to know that people are still looking to prioritise their home and family’s safety.