An Garda Síochána has launched our Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2021 to 2024. Crime prevention is achieved through effective and comprehensive engagement with communities and businesses. It is acknowledged that An Garda Síochána cannot reduce and prevent crime without such engagement.

An Garda Síochána will continue to work closely with public and private sector partners to prevent the commission of crime and reduce the opportunities for criminal activity. This strategy outlines goals and actions which are designed to support such engagement and enhance the continuing valuable work of our Crime Prevention Officers across the organisation.

An Garda Síochána is committed to protecting the safety, wellbeing and rights of all, particularly diverse, minority and marginalised communities and individuals. This Policy document outlines An Garda Síochána’s approach to Hate Crime and Non-Crime Hate Incidents (hereafter referred to as Hate Incidents). Together with associated Procedures, it aims to support the delivery of the relevant strategic objectives contained in An Garda Síochána Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021 and subsequent strategies, namely:

• To encourage and facilitate reporting of all Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents.
• To provide appropriate support to victims of Hate Crime during the reporting, investigation and
  prosecution phases.
• To increase levels of reported Hate Crime.
• To develop and issue Hate Crime Policy and Procedures.
• To publish the Garda Hate Crime definition and Hate Incidents definition.

Hate Crime causes significant social harm and has a profound impact on victims, communities and society
as a whole. Acknowledging this, An Garda Síochána will implement an appropriate professional response,
including a specific approach to reporting, recording, investigating and prosecuting Hate Crimes and Hate
Incidents as appropriate.

An Garda Síochána acknowledges significant under-reporting of Hate Crime and is committed to working
in partnership with all our stakeholders to enhance confidence and improve reporting. An Garda Síochána
has adopted working definitions for Hate Crime and Hate Incidents. These are designed to guide decisionmaking and provide a framework from which procedures and guidelines have been derived

Source: An Garda Síochána