Athlone's Garda superintendent has expressed concern over an increase in thefts from shops and retail premises.
Longford native Michelle Baker made the comments at the latest Westmeath joint policing meeting which took place this week.
Figures presented to the latest meeting of the Westmeath JPC reveal a rise in almost all types of crime by Gardai.
According to statistics up to the end of last month, since the end of lockdown, crime in all areas has risen.
Crimes against the person such as assaults in the Athlone area rose by 49% year on year, and there was also significant increases across County Westmeath of driving while intoxicated, which rose from 108 incidents in the first three months of 2021 to 170 in the same period this year.
Property crime also rose by 67% with thefts from vehicles in the Athlone area also up from 38 incidents to 48 year on year.
Theft of other property also grew significantly - rising from 51 incidents to 148 - an increase of 190%
Eight stolen vehicles have also been reported to Gardai so far this year in the Athlone Garda district.
However there was a decline in the number of drugs offences, both possession and sale and supply, detected by Gardai, dropping from a total of 79 to 60 year on year.
Chief Superintendent for Meath and Westmeath John Dollard addressed the JPC for the first time since the redrawing of Garda boundaries.
