There is no doubt but that many people believe crime has been

increasing over the last fifteen years. However, one must be wary as
some of this rise might be more a matter of perception than reality.
Crime is often a major issue in elections. This fact alone shows that it is
something that people are concerned about. But is it on the increase?
Firstly, though most major categories have shown a rise in recent years,
there are questions about the accuracy of crime data. Both the Garda
and the Central Statistics Office have admitted to shortcomings in their
data collection methodology. During the recession, the level of crime
showed a decrease rather than a rise. However, the common perception
is that there is more crime now not less. Why is this?
One reason why this might be the case is the round-the-clock coverage
crimes receive on modern media. In the past, if you wanted to avoid the
news, good or bad, you could. These days, it is almost impossible to stay
in the dark as social media is all pervasive. In addition, the nature of
news reportage has changed with the onset of twenty-four hour news
channels. Now, news channels have space that needs filling and crime
meets this need.
In conclusion, though the facts do not show that there has been an
increase in crime, this is not how the public sees it. This may in part be
due to the power of the media. It is difficult to be unaffected by what you
see and hear every day, and though you may not be any more likely to be
a victim of crime now than you were in the past, this is not how many
people feel about the level of crime in today's society.