Gardaí say they are having difficulty identifying some shoplifters though, due to the wearing of facemasks.
Gardaí in Laois are reporting a largely positive outlook on crime in the county in the first quarter of 2021.
Chief Superintendent John Scanlon has given details of decreasing incidences in areas such as burglaries, bike and car theft and assault.
Property crime in particular has seen a 23% decline when compared with the first four months of last year.
Chief Supt. Scanlon did warn that the police force is having issues with identifying shop lifters in some instances due to the wearing of facemasks.