Retailers suffer very significant losses through crime – it is only a legal nicety whether the loss is described as a burglary, an armed robbery or any other legal definition.
That is why the Government’s intention to provide for an additional offence specifically covering dwellings is unfair to all other victims of crime.
The Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill defines burglary as a serious offence for the purpose of bail hearings – by definition, a burglary of a commercial property will be viewed differently (or less serious) by a Court during an application for bail.
Given the known ability of criminals to mix and match their ‘talents’, there is not good reason for not including all burglary’s/robberies as being considered a serious offence, worthy of refusing bail – Lobby your TD.
Back to news