Campus Hit by Spate of Pick-Pocket Type Thefts

Published in the Galway City Tribune on 18 November 2011


NUI Galway has been hit by a spate of personal thefts, with 15 wallets and purses reported stolen from the environs of the campus on a single day.


The pickpocket-style thefts are understood to have occurred in daylight hours in the vicinity of University Road and Gardaí have warned students to stop "making themselves targets" by not closing their backpacks properly.

The victims of the crimes have been students of NUI Galway and have been pre-dominantly female, according to the Garda and security at the University which have both received complaints in relation to the thefts.

Head of security at NUI Galway Gerry Nolan has issued advice to students following the spate of thefts. "Most incidents involved money secured in the pockets of backpacks worn over the shoulder and out of sight," he said.

"Students should remains vigilant, refrain from storing items of value in bags that are not completely out of sight and report any incidents of theft to the Garda directly."

A spokesperson for the Garda advised students to be "more careful about the manner in which they secure their belongings". Students should prevent "making themselves targets by no closing their backpacks properly", he added.

There have been no arrests in connection with to date, however gardaí are carrying out ongoing patrols of the area.

Mr. Nolan said that the University had only ever experienced incidents of theft on this scale in the form of bicycle thefts.

18 Nov 2011

by Jessica Thompson and Louise France

Thefts on University Road

Image:www.flicker.com

Last week 15 wallets and purses were stolen in the NUI Galway area. The incidents occurred off campus on University Road yet the targets were students of the college. The thefts took place during daylight hours and victims were predominantly female.

Gerry Nolan, head of Security at NUI Galway stated that the only other incidents of thefts on this scale has been bicycle thefts, “We have experienced bicycle theft to a similar degree but no other repeatable offences in such a short time frame so close to University premises”.

Despite the large number of thefts only two in total were officially reported to Gardaí. As the incidents took place off campus all aspects of the investigation were handed over to Gardaí. Security services have provided them with all pertinent information and will continue to aid the investigation.

 There have been no incidents reported this week. Gardaí are conducting regular patrols of the University Road area.

Gardaí confirmed today that there are currently no suspects for the thefts. If anyone has any information relating to the incidents contact Mill street Garda Station on +353 91 538000 or the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111.