September 02, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Sexual Offences
Request Number: FOI/15021
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Sexual Offences
Subject: Sexual Offences
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 some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We do not however hold some information in relation to request number 3 below. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request Details
Please give the number of people:
Request 1
Arrested of sexual offences in NI in the past three years.
Request 2
Charged of sexual offences in NI in the past three years.
Request 3
Convicted of sexual offences in NI in the past three years.
Request 4
Please give the nationality of each person in each case.
SEXUAL OFFENCES
Rape: Non-consensual penile penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth.
Assault by Penetration: Non-consensual penetration with any object or body part other than the penis.
Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual touching.
Causing a Person to Engage in Sexual Activity Without Consent: Forcing someone to participate in sexual acts without their consent.
Child Sexual Offences: Including sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Abuse of Position of Trust: Sexual activity with someone under 18 by an individual in a position of trust, such as teachers or caregivers.
Voyeurism: Observing or recording someone in a private act without their consent for sexual gratification.
Exposure: Intentionally exposing genitals with intent to cause alarm or distress.
Offences Involving Prostitution and Pornography: Including controlling prostitution for gain and offences related to indecent images of children.
Further Clarification Received
My request seeks only aggregate statistical data for Northern Ireland, including counts of arrests, charges, and convictions for specified sexual offences over the last three years. May I also hereby specify that I also request nationality data in broad categories of UK national, EU national, Non-EU national only, rather than individual-level or personally-identifying information. This minimises any risk of identification and avoids the type of sensitive disclosure envisaged by Section 38.
Answer 1 & 4
Number of persons arrested(1) for a sexual offence by Nationality (2022-2024)
| Nationality | Number |
|---|---|
| UK/Ireland | 2,435 |
| EU | 215 |
| Non-EU | 203 |
| Not Recorded | 1 |
| Other | 2 |
| Total | 2,856 |
1.Arrested and processed through police custody
Answer 2 & 4
Number of person arrested and subsequently charged(2) with a sexual offence by Nationality (2022-2024)
| Nationality | Number |
|---|---|
| UK/Ireland | 691 |
| EU | 73 |
| Non-EU | 56 |
| Not Recorded | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Total | 820 |
2. Arrested and processed through police custody and subsequently charged
Answer 3
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 (PSNI) does not hold any further information in relation to this request. Enquiries made in relation to your requests failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.
Data regarding convictions is held by the Department of Justice NI and we would advise that this part of the request is directed there.
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the remainder of the information to which you seek access.