Gardai have issued a warning to anyone who is planning on heading out and about this St Patrick’s weekend.
Officers have reported an increase of thefts in Dublin City centre, and with towns and villages across Ireland set to gather large crowds, people have been urged to take extra care.
Cases of pickpocketing are expected to rise over the weekend. However, gardai have given measures people can take to ensure their personal items are as safe as possible.
Read more: Gardai investigating 'all the circumstances' after man's body pulled from lake in Co Tipperary
A Garda spokesman said: “As St Patrick’s Day celebrations resume after two years of cancelled events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Gardaí are aware of the high volume of people expected to join the festivities.
“Gardai will continue to conduct high visibility and plain clothes patrols throughout Dublin city centre over the bank holiday weekend, keeping people safe. Younger people, in particular, are urged to exercise caution while celebrating this weekend and to take measures to ensure personal safety.”
Gardai issued the following safety advice for keeping your phone safe:
- Register your mobile phone with your service provider.
- Take careful note of your unique 15 digit mobile phone International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. By pressing *#06# on your phone keypad the IMEI will appear on the screen.
- Enable the PIN Security feature and keep your phone locked at all times.
- When out and about, keep your mobile phone out of public view, be streetwise and always be aware of your surroundings.
- If you are making or receiving a phone call in public, do so with your back to a wall and reduce the opportunity to be attacked from behind.
- Never leave your mobile phone behind in an unattended vehicle.
- If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, contact your mobile phone service provider immediately to suspend your service and prevent unauthorised calls being made and billed to you. Your provider will block your SIM card and IMEI number to prevent your phone from being used on the mobile network.
- Report the loss or theft to An Garda Síochána, providing identification numbers for your SIM card and IMEI number. This information may assist in the recovery of your mobile phone.
Other measures that can be taken include stashing your cash in multiple places that are not easily accessible and being aware in crowded places.
Read more: St Patrick's Day Ireland 2022 LIVE updates: Pub changes, shop closures, garda warning and roads shut
Read more: Supermarket St Patrick's Day opening hours as Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes and Supervalu make changes
