This publication, Garda Annual Crime Statistics 2003-2006, replaces the Crime Statistics section of Garda Annual Reports. An Garda Síochana ceased including this section in their annual reports from 2006, in recognition that the CSO was to assume this responsibility.

This publication also marks the first time that the new Irish Crime Classification System (ICCS) has been used. A condensed version of this classification system (ICCSc) is also used in this report. (Full details of the ICCS are available via the CSO homepage at www.cso.ie.)

The ICCS replaces the Headline/Non-Headline classification, with its various sub-groupings, as used for annual statistics up to the 2005 reference year. The data used for most of this publication originate in the Garda PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) and the FCPS (Fixed Charge Penalty System) systems.