Crime rates in Waterford are higher than the national average in many categories, according to an analysis by the Irish Independent newspaper.
While Dublin City had the highest crime rates in the country last year, Waterford and Louth were over the national average for five common crimes; drugs, thefts, assaults, public order and possession of weapons.
The figures measure county by county offences per 100,000 of the population.
The analysis shows while most serious crime categories have decreased as a result of restrictions introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, some offences increased in 2020.
In particular, drugs and weapons crimes have risen and, while assaults have dropped overall, attacks on women have not dropped as sharply compared to assaults on men.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes, which have increased across Ireland, were also high in Louth (717), due in part to the success of Operation Stratus introduced to target crime gangs in Drogheda.
Waterford had 665 drugs offences per 100,000 followed by Cork (615), with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown having the lowest reported drug crimes with 227 per 100,000.
The DCC area reported 619 assaults per 100,000 last year, with Waterford (539) and Louth (544) also having higher than average assaults.
Outside of the capital the highest weapons offence rates were reported in Louth (99), Waterford (95) and Cork (79).
