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Our Performance

Recent Highlights

Last updated 2nd February 2025.

Crime Rates in Northern Ireland

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has published its latest recorded statistics for the 12 months from 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024. 

These figures provide an insight into recorded numbers around crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, hate-motivated crime and drug seizures.

There were 97,102 crimes recorded in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 10,187 (-9.5%) when compared with the previous 12 months. The level recorded in the latest 12 months is the lowest since lockdown restrictions were in place during 2020 and 2021.

There were 44020 anti-social behaviour incidents in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 1887 (or -4.1%) when compared with the previous 12 months.  This is the fifth lowest 12 month figure since the data series began in 2006/07.  

Police Officers on foot patrol
Police Recorded Crime in Northern Ireland

In the 12 months from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024:

  • There were 97,102 crimes recorded in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 10,187 (-9.5%) when compared with the previous 12 months.
  • The level recorded in the latest 12 months is the lowest since lockdown restrictions were in place during 2020 and 2021. 
  • Each month January 2024 to December 2024 recorded lower levels than the same months in the previous year, with August showing the largest decrease (-14 per cent). 
  • All policing districts experienced a lower level of crime.
  • Lower crime levels were seen in violence against the person, with the largest percentage and volume decrease in Stalking and Harassment (-14.6 per cent, -1,657 crimes). Changing levels in Stalking and Harassment should be considered alongside changes in requirements to the way crime is recorded. Further background is provided on page 3 of this bulletin. 
  • Lower crime levels were also seen across sexual offences, robbery, burglary, theft, criminal damage, drug offences, public order offences, possession of weapons offences and miscellaneous crimes against society.
  • The level of shoplifting offences was 13 higher than the previous 12 months.

We are committed to providing a high quality service to victims of crime and we undertake a victim satisfaction survey to monitor how well we are delivering our services and to identify areas for improvement.

Source: Police Recorded Crime Bulleting Period Ending 31st December 2024

Drug Seizure Statistics in Northern Ireland 

Details of the number of drug seizures and drug related arrests is available on our Drug Seizure Statistics page

The number of drug seizure incidents recorded by the police has shown a mainly upwards trend since 2006/07, with the only decreases seen in 2016/17 and 2023/24. 

Drug-related arrests generally increased between 2006/07 and 2019/20. A fall in each of 2020/21 and 2021/22 was followed by an increase in both 2022/23 and 2023/24. 

In 12 months from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024:

  • There were 7,024 drug seizure incidents, a decrease of 1,587 (18.4 per cent) on the previous 12 months.
  • There was a fall in the number of seizure incidents for all drug classes.
  • Cannabis (Class B) was the most commonly seized drug, followed by cocaine (Class A), pregabalin (Class C) and benzodiazepines (Class C).
  • All policing districts showed a fall in the number of drug seizure incidents. 
  • There were 3,294 drug-related arrests, a decrease of 192 (5.5 per cent) when compared with the previous 12 months.
  • Eight policing districts showed a decrease in drug-related arrests.

Source: Drug Seizure Statistics Period Ending 31st December 2024

Drugs Seizure
Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents Recorded by the Police in Northern Ireland

The number of anti-social behaviour incidents had been trending downwards since the start of the data series in 2006/07, with levels falling to around three fifths of the initial total by the end of 2019/20. The introduction of lockdown measures and other restrictions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in levels of anti-social behaviour recorded during 2020/21. Following the removal of restrictions, the downwards trend in anti-social behaviour incidents has resumed, with 2023/24 recording the lowest financial year level in the data series. 

In the 12 months from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024: 

  • There were 44,020 anti-social behaviour incidents in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 1,887 (-4.1%) when compared with the previous 12 months. This is one of the lowest 12 month figures since the data series began in 2006/07.
  • Seven of the months between January and December 2024 recorded the lowest levels of anti-social behaviour for those months since the start of the data series in April 2006. Of the remaining months, March, May, September and November 2024 recorded the second lowest levels and December 2024 recorded the third lowest level. 
  • All policing districts, with the exception of Belfast City, experienced lower levels of anti-social behaviour. 
  • Six policing districts experienced a decrease in levels of anti-social behaviour between November and December 2024.

Source: ASB Bulletin Period Ending 31st December 2024

How we Compare with England and Wales

Figures used are for the period July 2023 - June 2024.

Northern Ireland has the lowest crime rate when compared with all other police forces in England and Wales.

52.5

crimes for every 1,000 people in Northern Ireland.

89.1

crimes for every 1,000 people in England and Wales.

Key Comparisons

Figures used are for Financial Year April 2024 - June 2024.

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

Figures for the financial year ending June 2024 show the Police Service of Northern Ireland consistently has better investigative outcomes than those in England and Wales. 

Proportionally, compared to England and Wales (E&W)**:

  • We charge or summons to court three times as many people. That is 18.3% in NI compared to 5.6% in E&W.***
  • Almost three times as many of our cases are settled without going to court e.g. via community resolution - 7.7% in NI compared to 2.6% in E&W.
  • The proportion of investigations where we are unable to identify a suspect is 22.8% in NI compared to 37.5% in E&W.
Crime Outcome copmparison figures

Please note: Above figures are indicative but not directly comparable.

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

Sources:

*NI rate sourced from Police Recorded Crime Bulletin Period Ending 31st March 2024.  E&W rate sourced from the Office for National Statistics.

**NI figures sourced from Police Recorded Crime Bulletin Period Ending 31st March 2024.  E&W figures sourced from Home Office open data tables.

***Charging conditions in NI are different to those in E&W. In NI, 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.

Our Activity

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.

We regularly update our 'News' section with details of proactive policing operations and significant court outcomes.

 

Police Service of Northern Ireland Officer carrying out vehicle check points in the Newry area during Op Subreference on Friday, June 16th.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Officer carrying out vehicle check points in the Newry area during Op Subreference on Friday, June 16th.

During January 2025 in order to keep people safe:

  • We responded to 36,318 calls for service from 999, 101, online or at Police Stations. This is on average over 1,171 calls a day.
  • We processed 1962 arrested people through our custody suites - on average 63 people a day.
  • We submitted 3778 case files to the Public Prosecution Service.

Motoring Offences

In the 12 months from 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024: 

  • There were 34,758 detections for motoring offences in Northern Ireland, of which 97% were dealt with by means of a fixed penalty notice or referral for prosecution.
  • The remaining 3% (1,098) resulted in the completion of a speed awareness or safer driver course.
  • Total detections decreased by 17% on the 41,767 detections recorded in the previous 12 months, with notable reductions across a number of offence groups including insurance, speeding and driving licence offences.
  • Only one of the 19 offence groups showed an increase in detections over the year – breach of signs and signals, which rose slightly (16) to 192 detections. 
  • The largest offence group was insurance offences with 5,875 which along with speeding (4,840) accounted almost one-third of the total detections. 
  • The highest speed detected by PSNI officers in the latest 12 months was 149mph, on the M2 Foreshore, Belfast.

Source: Motoring Offence Statistics for Northern Ireland 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024

Drug Wipes Devices

Road Safety is a key policing priority and the ‘Fatal Five’ is important messaging relating to this. 

We are dedicated to continually improving road safety and robustly challenging those who recklessly risk the safety of road users and the wider public. Our Roads Policing Officers have now been equipped with drug wipes devices which indicate whether drivers are using vehicles whilst under the influence of illegal substances. This important piece of equipment will allow us to target those using illegal drugs while driving and ensure they face the full rigours of the law for their lack of care for the safety of fellow citizens. 

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd MLA and Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones

Image: Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd MLA and Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones  

Sadly 5* people have lost their lives on our roads since January this year (*figures up until 2/2/25).  In the calendar year 2024 a total of 69 people were died in road traffic collisions.  Those who drive whilst intoxicated by drink or drugs risk increasing this tragic tally and officers will actively seek to challenge them at every opportunity. 

Police Officer stopping vehicle

Accountability Report (December 2024)

The Chief Constable's monthly accountability report to the Northern Ireland Policing Board shows some of the excellent work undertaken by your Police Service to keep people safe.

Organised Crime

On 29th October 2024, detectives conducted a search of a house in the Ballykinlar area and recovered suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000, suspected cannabis with a street value of approximately £15,000 and £45,000 in cash. A man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of drug related offences and possession of criminal property.

Money seized
On 24th September 2024, detectives seized Class B controlled drugs with a potential street value of £225,000 and a large sum of cash.

On 23rd October 2024, a man was sentenced to two years and three months for drug related offences and two years for Immigration offences – half to be served in custody and half on licence. This was the outcome of an investigation in 2018 that led to the recovery of cannabis with a value of over £2m. 

On Friday 25th October 2024, two Belfast men and a man from England received custodial sentences of 45 months, six years and three years respectively, for drug related offences. This followed the recovery of 32kg of herbal cannabis, 7kg of cocaine and 5kg of ketamine at Larne Port in December 2021.

Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Arrests  

On 1st November 2024, two men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of offences including brothel keeping and controlling prostitution, following the search at a property in the Annadale Embankment area of South Belfast. Two women believed to have been victims of human trafficking were located and are receiving the appropriate support. A sum of cash was also seized. 

During a follow up search of a property in the Newtownards Road area, three suspected firearms were recovered. Enquiries are continuing

Public Protection Branch

Public Protection Branch have led on the delivery of the ‘As One Programme’, facilitated by Graham Goulden, a leadership and violence prevention educator. During November almost 500 leaders within the Service have attended an online webinar aimed at starting conversations on how we further tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with everyone expressing how they feel this will improve their own roles, better equipping them to have those difficult conversations and step in where behaviour is not what it should be. 

The next step is the ‘train the trainer’ sessions which commence in December and will see 12 30 of our trainers across Local Policing and Crime Departments upskilled to deliver the ‘As One Programme’.

Cyber Crime 

On 18th October 2024, a 25-year-old man was sentenced to a period of 16 months in prison suspended for four years, and subjected to a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) for three years, having previously pleaded guilty to six counts under the Computer Misuse Act and one count under the Fraud Act. 

This referred to a large-scale credential stuffing attack against a multi-international sports brand company during April 2020 that resulted in the compromise of 277,000 user accounts.

Further significant investigations and court outcomes are highlighted in the Chief Constable's report.