• 15.5% reduction in the number of residential burglaries during summer phase 2025 of Operation Thor compared with summer phase 2024 • 25% reduction in the number of residential burglaries during summer phase 2025 of Operation Thor compared with summer phase 2022 • 23.5% reduction in the number of residential burglaries during summer phase 2025 of Operation Thor compared with previous winter phase 2024/ 2025 Operation Thor Summer Phase | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022+ | Residential Burglaries (to 25/9/25) </ | 2,300+ | 2,700+ | 2,200+ | 3,000 |
Operation Thor Summer Phase | Dublin Region | Eastern Region | North Western Region | Southern Region | Residential Burglaries (to 25/9/25) | 907 | 709 | 315 | 372 |
Just over 2,300 burglaries equates to approximately 3 burglaries per county per week during the period April to September 2025. There was less than 2 burglaries per day across each of the North West and Southern Garda Regions, covering 15 rural counties. Over 900 arrests for Burglary related activity were made during the last 6 months. This equates to 4 suspected offenders being arrested every day. An Garda Síochána, today 1st October 2025, commences the winter phase of its targeted operational activity, ‘Operation Thor’. This annual increased enforcement operation is aimed at preventing burglars from exploiting the reduced hours of daylight. Residential burglary tends to be higher in winter. International evidence traditionally suggests a seasonal trend, a surge in burglaries of up to 20% is likely to arise in the winter months when daylight hours are at the lowest level. First established in 2015, this operation targets organised criminal gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and intelligence-led enforcement activity. • The Summer Phase of Operation Thor takes place between 1st April – 30th September each year. • The Winter Phase of Operation Thor takes place between the 1st October and 31st March, of the following year. In the 10 years since Operation Thor was introduced, burglary and related offences have declined overall. The level of residential burglary during the winter (October – March) has fallen by 75% since the commencement of Operation Thor in 2015. This is contrary to international research which would suggest that there is an increase in burglary during the winter months, when daylight hours are at the lowest level. This is the case as the shorter days and longer, darker nights provide more cover and therefore make it easier to break-in unnoticed, and can also make it easier to see if a property is vacant. Operation Thor is supported by the whole of An Garda Síochána under the direction of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime. Today Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis is chairing a meeting of Operation Thor leads, Detective Superintendents, in each Garda Region supported by National and Specialist Units such as GNDOCB, GNBCI, GSAS, STOC and Roads Policing. Under the Garda Operating Model Divisional Serious Crime Units are supported by National Regional, Divisional Resources to target identified travelling Organised Crime Groups and other prolific offenders. Speaking today, Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, GNDOCB said: "While I am pleased to highlight that the level of reported residential burglaries continues to reduce, we in An Garda Síochána continue to recognise residential burglary as a particularly insidious crime which has a lasting impact on any person whose home is burgled. "While in many cases items of very significant sentimental or monetary value is taken, even if limited property is stolen or damaged, it is an invasion of privacy and security of a person’s home, which often never feels comfortable to a victim again. "That is why burglary related crime, and those criminals involved in it, including particularly organised criminal activity, remain key targets for all resources of An Garda Síochána.” Operation Thor focuses on five main areas: 1. Crime Prevention and Protecting Communities: Conducting high-visibility patrols and check-points at specific times of day in known ‘hot-spots’ to reduce the movement of burglars, gathering intelligence on known offenders and regularly communicating with those in the community about crime prevention measures. 2. Crime Investigation and Operational Activity: Ensuring that every burglary is thoroughly investigated to the highest possible standard, daily monitoring of crime data to assess any changes in the trend of burglaries, associated crimes and detection rates, and utilising this information to inform burglary prevention strategies 3. Working in Partnership: Continuing to work closely with all partner agencies in both local and national government as well as those in the community by way of providing crime prevention advice and a reassuring presence in the locality. 4. Education and Awareness: Interacting with young people and encouraging them to divert away from an involvement in crime/burglary. An Garda Síochána will continue to promote local community policing strategies via social media, and raise awareness of how to enhance the security of your home and private property i.e. An Garda Síochána’s ‘Lock Up/Light Up’ campaign. 5. Victim Support: Keeping the victim at the centre of the overall operational response and providing professional support and advice as well as regular case updates to every victim. There are a number of steps that can help protect your home whether you are at home or going out: • Turn on some lights (LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs) • Use timer switches/motion detectors • Lock all doors and windows • Use a house alarm • Store keys away from windows • Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house. An Garda Síochána has developed a Property App. This free mobile app is available to the public to index and record their personal property i.e. jewellery, electronic equipment, bicycles, laptops, cameras, farm machinery etc. In the circumstance that the person then has their property stolen, they can use the in-app reporting tool to easily report the theft of any of the item(s) they have uploaded securely, to Gardaí. An Garda Síochána App - Garda: https://www.garda.ie/en/angardasiochanaapp/ An Garda Síochána promotes the practice of ‘property marking.’ Property Marking engagement days are held by local community policing units and regularly highlighted on Garda social media platforms. An Garda Síochána - Property Marking: https://www.garda.ie/!C4WFWO An Garda Síochána ‘Lock Up Light Up’ campaign is An Garda Síochána's anti-burglary awareness campaign which encourages homeowners to protect their homes over the winter months, when burglaries traditionally tend to rise. 'Lock Up Light Up' campaign - Garda: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/-lock-up-light-up-campaign/ | 