Our Performance

Last updated April 2024.

Crime Rates in Northern Ireland

Crime rates in Northern Ireland are significantly lower than in England and Wales*. This means that people and businesses here are less likely to be a victim of crime.

We are incredibly proud of our performance investigating crime and getting justice for victims.

Figures for the year ending September 2023 show the Police Service of Northern Ireland consistently has better investigative outcomes than those in England and Wales. Proportionally, compared to England and Wales**:

• We charge or summons to court three times as many people. That is 22.7% in Northern Ireland compared to 7.5% in England and Wales.***
• Twice as many of our cases are settled without going to court e.g. via community resolution - 9.0% in Northern Ireland compared to 3.8% in England and Wales.
• The proportion of investigations where we are unable to identify a suspect is close to half of what it is in England and Wales.

We are very pleased with this performance and are working hard to keep it that way.

Despite the very challenging policing environment in Northern Ireland it is important to emphasise that our work goes on; officers and staff continue to deliver for communities in spite of the current relentless demands and pressures.

In the 12 months from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023: 

In 2023, there were 39,789 detections for motoring offences in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 3,347 offences (8%) on the 43,136 detections recorded in 2022. 

Of the 39,789 detections in 2023, over three fifths resulted in a referral for prosecution and a further one fifth in endorsable fixed penalty notices. 

Motoring offence detections have fallen by one third over the last ten years, from 60,838 in 2014. 

Insurance was the largest offence group in 2023 with 7,298 detections, accounting for 18% of the total, followed by speeding with 5,551 detections. There were a further 4,666 detections related to careless driving offences, 90 more offences than in 2022. 

Three offence groups showed modest increases (2%) over the year including insurance (141), careless driving (90) and construction and use (66).

In contrast, 16 offence groups decreased over the year, most significantly speeding and mobile phone offences which fell by 1,576 (22%) and 479 (27%) respectively. These two offence groups accounted for over three-fifths of the overall decrease in detections between 2022 and 2023. 

This month's accountability report to the Northern Ireland Policing Board shows some of the excellent work of your Police Service to keep people safe.

Drugs Seizures

On 1 March 2024 detectives from Organised Crime Branch made two arrests and recovered Class B controlled drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £500,000 following searches in south Belfast. Follow up searches were conducted by detectives at premises in the Lisburn Road area and further drugs, cash and paraphernalia were located. Two men, aged in their 20s and 40s, were arrested and charged with possession of Class B and possession of Class B with intent to supply. 

On 19 March 2024, detectives from Organised Crime Branch made an arrest following the stop and search of a vehicle in Dungannon. Officers stopped a vehicle travelling on the Omagh Road and a search of the vehicle uncovered suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £200,000 and cash in both Euro and Sterling with a combined total value of approximately £50,000. A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

Paramilitary Crime Task Force 

On 6 March 2024, detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force conducted a search at a house in the North Belfast area. This search was part of an ongoing operation into criminality linked to the INLA. Suspected firearms and ammunition along with quantities of suspected drugs were seized. A 27-year-old man and 29-year-old woman were arrested and charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possession of a class C controlled drug.

On 14 March 2024, a seaside holiday home believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of fraud and money laundering has been seized and recovered by the National Crime Agency as part of a civil recovery investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act. An excellent result for the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, and an example of how collective efforts can disrupt the activities of paramilitary groups.

Stalking Protection Order 

On the 19 March 2024 we saw the first Stalking Protection Order be issued in Northern Ireland following the provisions going live in October 2023.  A 46 year old male was given a two year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) against his ex-wife, having stalked and harassed her and family members. The victim has been incredibly positive about her experience with police and that she finally feels that there is something in place to protect her and her family. Further information on Domestic Abuse is available on our website.

Retail Crime

As part of a national month of action to tackle retail crime launched by the National Business Crime Centre, this day of action brought police and partners in the business community together to tackle the key issues of business crime in our communities. Police across Northern Ireland conducted planned operations including high visibility patrols, proactive activity against repeat offenders, vehicle check points and searches. Importantly, police officers and crime prevention staff also engaged with local businesses and the public providing advice and guidance in terms of how to prevent retail crime.  

*NI rate sourced from Police Recorded Crime Bulletin Period Ending 30th September 2023. 

E&W rate sourced from the Office for National Statistics.

**NI figures sourced from Police Recorded Crime Bulletin Period Ending 30th September 2023. 

E&W figures sourced from Home Office open data tables.

***Charging conditions in Northern Ireland are different to those in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland, police can charge a suspect at a much earlier stage and without the approval of a prosecutor. Each charge made by the Police Service of Northern Ireland is reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.