NEW FIGURES from a Carlow-based security firm that monitors 2,000 commercial premises in Ireland show that there were 6,198 incidents of criminal activity recorded across those sites last year.

Although the summer was a particularly active period for criminal activity, Netwatch says that December was the busiest month with 721 incidents recorded. February was the quietest month with 405.

The busiest time of day for criminal activity was not the early hours of the morning, but the period between 7 and 10pm.

Sunday was the most busiest day, with almost one in five (17 per cent) of recorded incidents of criminal activity occurring that day. Most of the intruders (86 per cent) arrived on the scene on foot, suggesting a preference for targeting smaller goods such as jewellery, laptops and cash.

Group CEO of Netwatch David Walsh said that the company’s 2011 review shows that commercial criminal activity rose slightly in the second half of last year but that overall, remains consistent.

“Holiday periods were busy, with criminals particularly active during the summer months of May, July and August, when businesses are typically quieter,” Walsh added. “The activity eased off in the autumn only to peak again during the festive period, when there was 70 per cent increase in crime compared with the previous month.”

Netwatch says businesses should ensure that their building is well-lit to deter intruders and that employees have a secure cabinet to store small electronics out of sight. It also recommends that companies review their security arrangements so that at least two personnel respond to emergency calls or that the keyholder responding to the call would be escorted to the premises by gardaí.