Speaking at the launch of 'Operation Hurdle 2015', which focuses on crime prevention in the Wicklow uplands area, Garda Superintendent Paul Hogan said that this year there will be “emphasis on the prevention of the theft of Christmas trees from farms during harvesting time in the lead up to the holiday season.”

With Christmas trees retailing at €50 at 23% VAT, if 2,000 trees were sold on the black market - that's a loss of €23,000 to the exchequer.

Christmas tree grower Christy Kavanagh, Newtownmountkennedy, feels relieved now that the gardai are giving special attention to growers.

“Since Operation Hurdle began theft of trees has gone down to practically zero,” said Kavanagh. “Over the last three years, it has seriously curtailed the activity of criminals. Tagging makes it easier to trace the product."

Listen to Christy Kavanagh in our podcast interview below:

Superintendent Hogan urged farmers and business people to be vigilant in the face of crime this Christmas, giving three easy steps that will help protect rural communities:

1. Use your phone to report any suspicious activity immediately to help the Gardai.

“We prefer to hear about things immediatly rather than a month too late,” said Superintendent Hogan. “If something is urgent then call 999 but if it is less pressing you can call your local Garda station. We would rather receive too many calls than not enough.”

2. Review your own personal business and security by using CCTV, alarms, lighting and better locks. The gardai have crime prevention officers that will come and review the security on your premises free of charge.

3. Be a nosy neighbour and look after elderly people and those living alone in your area.

Livestock theft

Theft of livestock is also a problem in the Wicklow uplands area, particularly of sheep. However Superintendent Hogan says that little can be done because at the moment the gardai are only being told of anecdotal incidences.

“Give us the reports, then we can see if there is a trend or pattern emerging,” said Hogan. “Then once we have that we can actually start to do something about it.”