• 14% reduction in Residential Burglaries during Operation Thor Winter Phase 2025/2026 compared to previous winter phase 2024/2025 (just over 2,600 residential burglaries) • Lowest level of recorded residential burglaries during an Operation Thor winter phase in six years (since pre covid-19) • On average 5 arrests for burglary and related offence every day; nearly 1,000 arrests • On average 12 charges/ summonses issued for burglary related charges every day; nearly 2,250 charges / summonses • On average only 2 residential burglaries reported per day across the Garda North-Western Region (Garda North Western region includes 10 counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth) • On average less than 5 aggravated burglaries nationwide per week; just over 120 aggravated burglaries Operation Thor, launched in November 2015, is designed to tackle the anticipated increase in the number of burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur in winter months by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative activity. This initiative has successfully reduced the rate of winter burglaries, leading to a significant decline in property related crime since its introduction. The winter phase of Operation Thor runs from the 1st October to the 31st March the following year: • In the 11 years of Operation Thor, recorded residential burglaries during the winter phase (October – March) have dropped by 80% • Just over 2,600 residential burglaries reported in 2025/ 2026 winter phase compared to over 12,000 residential burglaries reported in 2014/ 2015 winter phase Analysis of provisional data during the 2025/ 2026 winter phase of Operation Thor, by the Garda Síochána Analysis Services shows that: There were a total of just under 4,300 Incidents linked to Operation Thor (Burglary, Aggravated Burglary/ Possession of an Article (Burglary/ Theft) reported during the 2025/2026 Operation Thor winter phase. This is the lowest number of Operation Thor incidents to have occurred during a Winter Phase since Winter Phase 2020/2021. Of the 4,300 incidents 94.7% were of Burglary, 2.8% Aggravated Burglary, 2.4% of Possession of an Article (Burglary or Theft). 64% of burglary incidents were residential burglaries, while 36% were non-residential The most common location types affected are House (53.4%), Shop (8.4%), Apartment (4.7%), and Restaurant (3.9%). The DMR has accounted for 44% of all burglary incidents in Thor Winter phase 2025/26, the Eastern Region 27%, the Southern Region 17% and the North Western Region 12%. Temporal analysis of residential burglary incidents during the 25/26 Winter phase suggest that 78% of residential burglaries occurred between 6pm and 2am. Fridays and Saturdays being the days that burglary incidents were recorded as occurring most frequently. Speaking about the analysis of Operation Thor winter phase 2025/ 2026 Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, Organised and Serious Crime highlighted, "I am pleased to see that the level of burglary related crime continues to trend downwards as An Garda Síochána remains resolute focusing on those criminal groups that carry out these particularly harmful crimes. Operation Thor, led and co-ordinated by Organised and Serious Crime through the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, involves dedicated local divisional investigation teams, supported by front-line Gardaí, National and Regional Units. Residential burglary is a particularly insidious crime. The violation by criminals of a person’s home has a lasting impact on the victim. Burglary, and burglary related crime and the organised criminal groups responsible remain key targets for all resources of An Garda Síochána. The sharing of intelligence, the coordination of operations and the willingness of all personnel involved in Operation Thor to act collectively have all been critical to the success of this strategy. I want to acknowledge and recognise the efforts of my colleagues throughout the organisation for their continued efforts in relation to Operation Thor” Background: Today 22nd April 2026, Assistant Commissioner Willis, Organised and Serious Crime chaired an operational meeting to review the impact of Operation Thor Winter Phase 2025/2026. The meeting brought together all operational units of An Garda Síochána involved in Operation THOR including Divisional Serious Crime Units, An Garda Síochána Analysis Service, Regional and National Support Units, Roads Policing Units, Garda National Crime Prevention Units, Community Engagement Units led by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. 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. | 