April 24, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Cyber Crime
Request Number: FOI-2024-03483
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Cyber Crime
Subject: Illegal Streaming
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
Figures relating to the arrests for those who use and supply illegal streaming services in Northern Ireland in the past five years.
Clarification Sought
Can you please provide the specific offences which you want included in your response for the use and supply of illegal streaming services in Northern Ireland?
Clarification Received
In the last five years (2019-present)
How many people have been arrested for operating a file sharing or streaming website?
How many people have been arrested for stealing or sharing files ?
How many people have been arrested for using unauthorized streaming websites or services?
How many of those have been prosecuted for the crime?
Clarification 2 Sought
There are no offences which specifically mention ‘operating a file sharing or streaming website’, ‘stealing or sharing files’ or ‘unauthorized streaming of websites or services’. Would you be content with receiving a response, regarding arrests and prosecutions for the use and supply of illegal streaming services, based on the offences of ‘Making or Suppling Articles for Use in Frauds’ and ‘Possessing Article Infringing Copyright’?
Clarification 2 Received
Yes, that would be fine
Answer 1
Based on the offences of ‘Making or Supplying Articles for Use in Frauds’ and ‘Possessing Article Infringing Copyright’, 2 persons were arrested in relation to the use and supply of illegal streaming services. However, the use and supply of illegal streaming services may potentially fall under a range of offences and would require a manual review to provide an accurate representation of arrest rates for this type of crime. This type of review would likely attract an over cost response.
Request 2
Figures relations to the convictions for those who use and supply illegal streaming services in Northern Ireland in the past five years?
Answer 2
There have been no convictions for the offences of ‘Making or Suppling Articles for Use in Frauds’ and ‘Possessing Article Infringing Copyright’, in relation to the use and supply of illegal streaming services. However, the use and supply of illegal streaming services may potentially fall under a range of offences and would require a manual review to provide an accurate representation of conviction rates for this type of crime. This type of review would likely attract an over cost response.