February 27, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Arrests
Request Number: FOI/13783
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Arrests
Subject: Domestic Violence Complaints
Request and Answer:
Request 1
In the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, how many complaints of domestic violence did the PSNI receive? Can you please provide an annual breakdown?
Answer 1
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemptions, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
Section 22 – Information Intended for Future Publication
Section 21
Figures for the number of domestic abuse incidents and crimes for the previous five financial years and the current financial year are published in the spreadsheet which accompanies our quarterly domestic abuse bulletins. Currently these figures cover up to 30th September 2024. In addition, financial year figures for the period 2004/05 to 2023/24 are published in our annual Trends in Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes in Northern Ireland bulletin.
These documents are available on the PSNI website:
Section 22
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 it has been decided to refuse access to the information you have requested. Under Section 22 (1) of the Act the Police Service of Northern Ireland is not obliged to disclose information that is held with a view to its publication at some future date.
The next bulletin, which will cover up to 31st December 2024 will be published on 27th February 2025.
These documents will be available on the PSNI website:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/domestic-abuse-statistics
Section 22 is a qualified exemption so therefore the PSNI is obliged to carry out a Public Interest Test.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release
Disclosure would demonstrate PSNI’s openness and transparency.
Factors Favouring Retention
The spending of additional funds in order to facilitate this FOI request would not be in the public interest as this information is due to be released in the near future.
Decision
There needs to be a real and valid reason which identifies a tangible benefit to the public from disclosure of information. As the information is intended to be published at a future date, this year, it is reasonable to exempt it as publication is imminent.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Request 2
In the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, how many complaints of domestic violence resulted in charges for that crime? Can you please provide an annual breakdown?
Answer 2
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
The exemption is listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
Section 21
Figures for the number of charge/summons outcomes for domestic abuse crimes which were assigned in a particular financial year are available in the spreadsheet which accompanies our annual Trends in Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes in Northern Ireland bulletin. Figures for the number of domestic abuse crimes recorded in a particular financial year which are subsequently assigned a charge/summons outcome are available in the spreadsheet which accompanies our annual Outcomes of Crimes Recorded by the Police in Northern Ireland.
This is available on the PSNI website:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/police-recorded-crime-statistics
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.