Crime levels rose across the board in Athlone last year when compared to 2020.
According to yesterday's County Joint Policing Committee, the Athlone area saw a rise in property crime, burglary and crimes against persons.
Addressing members of the committee, Chief Superintendent Fergus Healy says the country's exit from lockdown in 2020 had seen crime levels begin to return to previous norms.
With many people remaining at home during national lockdown's, Gardaí recorded a drop in crimes that generally took advantage of people being at work or out of the house.
The Athlone area recorded a 61 per cent increase in incidents of burglary during 2021, while the county recorded an increase of 51 incidents compared to 2020's levels.
Property crime also saw a major increase in and around the town, with a jump of 21 per cent recorded over the year.
Thefts from shops and thefts from vehicles also saw an increase last year of 18 and 9 per cent respectively.
Last year, 26 more incidents of crimes against the person occurred than in 2020, an increase of 15 per cent.
Across the country, local Gardaí seized 343 vehicles for lack of tax or insurance, while checkpoints recorded an increase in drunk and drug driving.
Meanwhile, in the area of the sale and supply of drugs, Athlone recorded a drop in possession for personal use, while incidents of possession with intent to supply maintained at 2020 levels.
