Dublin’s Low CCTV Coverage Linked to Crime, Fine Gael Says
A new ESRI report attributes rising antisocial behavior among young girls to anxiety and reduced access to mental health services.
By Ethan Mitchell ·
Fine Gael stated that Dublin's limited installation of CCTV cameras is a factor in the city's crime levels. The party made the comment in response to a new report on antisocial behavior released by the Economic and Social Research Institute. The report examines how behavior that violates social norms, ranging from unpaid bus fares to physical altercations, affects teenagers and younger children.
The data shows that rates of antisocial behavior among young males have remained largely stable. In contrast, the incidence among young girls has risen sharply. Psychologist and author Katriona O'Sullivan noted the shift in statistics while appearing on The Claire Byrne Show. She said the increase for girls moved from 10% to 16%. O'Sullivan attributed this rise directly to increased mental health difficulties, specifically anxiety.
The report identifies specific behaviors that have increased in frequency. These include not paying bus fares and incidents of hitting others or being hit by others. O'Sullivan said these trends connect to mental health struggles. She pointed to cuts in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as a contributing factor. The report argues that there is insufficient access to mental health supports for children, with young girls facing particular shortages.
The study distinguishes between violent and non-violent antisocial acts. It lists examples such as robbing cars, hitting someone, and loitering on street corners. While the legal system may not be the solution for every case, O'Sullivan argued that the issue should not be ignored. She noted that increased policing has not proven to be a deterrent in previous analyses.
A study conducted in London suggests that youth clubs are an effective alternative to policing. The research found a correlation between the number of available youth clubs and a decrease in youth crime. O'Sullivan stated that cutting funding for these programs leads to a rise in antisocial behavior. The ESRI report calls for better access to mental health resources to address the growing gap in services for young people.
The findings underscore the link between mental health support and behavioral outcomes. The report indicates that the current reduction in CAMHS services is leaving many children without adequate help. Fine Gael used these findings to argue for improved infrastructure, specifically more CCTV coverage, to manage crime levels in Dublin. The party’s comments follow the release of the detailed analysis on juvenile behavior trends.
