Residential burglaries drop 75 percent in a decade as Gardaí hail Operation Thor success 

Ten-year Garda initiative credited with slashing break-ins and protecting homes nationwide

Residential burglary rates across Ireland have plummeted by 75% over the past ten years, according to new provisional figures released by An Garda Síochána. 

The dramatic drop is credited to the sustained efforts of Operation Thor, a nationwide initiative launched in 2015 to combat winter burglaries, which traditionally spike during the darker months. Between October 2024 and March 2025, Gardaí recorded just over 3,000 residential burglaries, compared to over 12,000 in the same period a decade ago. 

That’s an average of 17 burglaries per day across the country—less than one per day per county.

Ten-year tumble: Break-ins drop dramatically nationwide 

In a media briefing scheduled for this morning at Walter Scott House in Dublin, Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland is expected to commend the progress made while acknowledging the personal toll burglary takes on victims. 

“Even if nothing of monetary value is taken, the trauma of having your home violated is profound,” Boland said in a statement released ahead of the briefing. “We remain committed to protecting communities, both rural and urban, and holding offenders to account.” 

The most recent figures paint a positive picture: 

Dozens charged as Gardaí crack down on burglary gangs

Operation Thor isn’t just about visibility and deterrence—it has also led to significant enforcement. Gardaí made over 900 arrests during the 2024/2025 winter phase and issued more than 2,000 charges, including for burglary, aggravated burglary, and possession of burglary tools. 

Among the notable operational successes: 

A smarter force: Tech, data and real-time crime tracking

Behind the operation’s success lies a highly coordinated, intelligence-led approach. The Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) provides real-time dashboards that allow Garda managers to track burglary trends and direct resources effectively. In recognition of their work, GSAS analysts were awarded Europol’s Criminal Analyst of the Year 2024. 

Operation Thor focuses on more than arrests. Gardaí regularly run crime prevention campaigns like “Lock Up, Light Up,” encouraging residents to secure their homes during winter. The Garda Property App allows people to catalogue their valuables and quickly report stolen items. 

Over 1,400 Community Alert Schemes operate nationwide, helping to link rural residents with local Gardaí to deter crime and respond quickly to suspicious activity. 

The initiative also plays a role in education and diversion, working with young people to steer them away from crime and engaging the public through community events and social media. 

Rural protection at the core of Garda strategy

Operation Thor works hand-in-hand with the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) to target cross-border criminal networks. Rural communities, often seen as soft targets by organised gangs, are central to the operation’s strategy. 

The Rural Safety Plan 2022–2024 supports this by fostering collaboration between Gardaí, community groups, and government bodies to make rural Ireland safer. 

Gardaí continue to encourage the public to take proactive steps to protect their homes: 

For more information or to download the Garda app, visit www.garda.ie.