(ii) Addressing crime – specific measures: page 11

Recommendations:

1. For those involved at a very serious or ‘senior’ level in the drugs trade and related organised crime in the area, the current approach by AGS of targeting and disrupting their activities to be continued and resourced accordingly.
2. Implement, as a matter of urgency and priority, an intensive, wraparound service for vulnerable children and young people exposed to and involved in organised crime groups, as well as their families, with a view to facilitating their disengagement from such criminal networks.
3. Continue – and increase, where appropriate – resourcing (e.g., staff, training, minibus/es) to the two Garda Youth Diversion Projects (CABLE and BOYNE GYDPs), to facilitate their work.
4. Ensure continuing/strengthening of community policing – particularly in the town centre and suburban areas.
5. Consider the implementation of a Joint Agency Response to Crime (JARC) project in the Drogheda area.
6. Allocate additional Probation Service resources (1-2 probation officers, as well as community service and community-based organisations, where and as needed) immediately to the Louth team, to allow adequate focus on and resourcing of responses to drug-related offending, young people involved in crime and related projects, as well as in the event of any expansion of the JARC programme, youth justice, community service and restorative justice programmes.