Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, welcomed the launch of ‘Operation Hurdle 2015’ at the Glen of Imaal, Mountain Rescue Bass highlighting the Garda Síochána focus on crime prevention in the Wicklow uplands area. Speaking after the event Deputy Doyle said that this year Gardaí are on the lookout for all types of illegal activities together with a greater emphasis on the prevention of rural crime by local community groups and Gardaí working in partnership.
“Operation Hurdle has been a very successful initiative by the Gardaí in Wicklow which focused initially on the prevention of the theft of Christmas trees from farms during harvesting time in the lead up to the holiday season. It is estimated that since Operation Hurdle began theft of trees has gone down to practically zero over the last three years. It has seriously curtailed the activity of criminals.
Now as part of the campaign this year the emphasis is on all types of illegal activity in Wicklow Uplands. Operation Hurdle also focuses on the prevention of other crimes such as animal theft, burglaries and thefts from vehicles. It further includes the monitoring and gathering of intelligence of both local and roaming criminals with the intention of disrupting a range of criminal activities, including poaching, which intelligence suggested was in many instances committed by the same suspected individuals.
Describing the work involved in ‘Operation Hurdle’, Andrew Doyle TD says, ‘checkpoints and patrols will be carried out in the Upland areas of Wicklow by Garda units. The Garda Air Support Unit support the operation and the Garda Helicopter has conducted air patrols in these areas in conjunction with local units as many of the locations are remote and difficult to access. They have the facility to use their infra red and the night sun equipment to monitor large areas for illegal activity.’
“One of the key aspects for Operation Hurdle going forward is the Text Alert initiative designed to facilitate immediate and cost effective communication from An Garda Síochána to the public, through active partnerships with Wicklow community groups, and it is with this continued assistance that we can all continue to combat crime.
“I very much welcome that Operation Hurdle is to be expanded into other activities and I encourage community groups, neighbourhood watch and local citizens in Wicklow to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity to prevent crime in rural areas of Wicklow” added Doyle