Gardai will operate a number of checkpoints over the next months as they seek to catch criminals targeting one specific Christmas commodity.
Operation Hurdle will be in effect in the lead up to the festive season in a bid to nab people trying to steal Christmas trees.
Road checkpoints and air patrols will be in operation as gardai try to stop gangs from stealing the trees from farms around the country.
This is the 10th year in a row that the force will try to deter the seasonal thefts.
Wicklow, which has the highest concentration of the tree plantations in Ireland, is set to particularly benefit from the operation.
Before the initiative was introduced in 2012, an average of 2,000 trees were being stolen in the county by gangs travelling from Dublin, the Wicklow People reports.
A garda spokesperson said of the checkpoints: “Operation Hurdle recommenced on Friday, 19th November 2021.
“The operation was set up to prevent the theft of Christmas Trees in the Wicklow Garda Division.
“Gardai will be conducting regular patrols and checkpoints in the lead up to the festive period. They will also be assisted by the Garda Air Support Unit and will be engaging with local Christmas Tree Growers.”
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