Car thefts down in Roscommon and Longford

A total of 37 motor theft and related offences were reported in Roscommon & Longford last year, a 5% decrease on the 39 incidents from the previous 12 months, according to new figures.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) 2024 statistics revealed that total of 7,623 motor thefts were reported in 2023, with 5,000 of those vehicles being cars. The 2024 national figure has surpassed 2023 by 4%, showing an upwards trend in car thefts and related incidents and highlighting 2024 as the worst year for motor theft in Ireland in more than a decade.    

 In 2024, the primary hotspots for motor theft incidents across Ireland were Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Dublin makes up a sizeable proportion with 4,305 vehicles stolen, followed by 851 in Cork and 502 in Limerick.      

In the wake of the figures car insurance company OUTsurance has issued guidance to the public and CMO Ian Kennedy said the public needed to be increasingly vigilant in protecting their vehicles and ensure not to make simple mistakes like leaving keys near their front door or valuables on display in their vehicle.