POOR PATROL

Top garda warns number of officers on streets of capital dangerously low

- PAUL HEALY

A GARDA has warned that the number of officers able to properly police the streets of Dublin are now "dangerously low".

Detective Garda Mark Ferris said too many officers are stuck behind computer screens and "pen-pushing" through endless paperwork to actually be able to police the streets.

He added: "Members find themselves in behind screens rather than being out engaging with the public.

"The numbers of gardai out on the street are dangerously low.

"We react to things now, we're not proactive. You can see it with the assaults, with the rammings, this is how we react when we should be more proactive."

Mr Ferris represents the GRA's Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division. His warning comes as concerns grow about the level of assaults and about safety in the capital following the attack on US tourist Stephen Termini in Talbot Street last week.