Gardaí have launched a permanent High Visibility Policing Plan in Cork.
48 gardaí have been allocated to the Cork City division, which will support the new operation.
The plan, which comes into effect from today, will see an increase in patrols at 11 posts and beats across the city between 8am and 4am.
Gardaí say that members will be present at these posts at all times during operating hours to deal with incidents such as public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and shoplifting, while a pro-arrest policy will be enforced for offenders, with strong bail objections included where appropriate.
A total of 23 gardaí are to be assigned to the operation every day, 11 during daytime hours and 12 during the night.
The operation will be supported with resources from the Cork City Garda Roads Policing Unit, the Public Order Unit, as well as detectives and plainclothes gardaí, according to An Garda Síochána.
Assistant Garda Commissioner in the Southern Region Eileen Foster said the new operation will offer reassurance to the public.
"48 additional Gardaí have been assigned to the Cork City division, which will support this High Visibility Policing Plan," she said.
"These High Visibility foot patrols in Cork city centre increase garda visibility and offer public reassurance that public realms and amenities in Cork city centre are and continue to be safe places to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy."
"This is an acknowledgement that Cork city needed additional resources and we look forward to High Visibility patrols, particularly in the build-up to Christmas," said Chief Superintendent of the Cork City division Thomas Myers.
"We will continue to work with our key stakeholders in the city, and we very much appreciate their support."
