February 04, 2026 | Human Resources , Assaults on Police Officers and Staff
Request Number: FOI/16725
Category: Human Resources - Assaults on Police officers and staff
Subject: Use of Force Incidents Recorded by the Police Service
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 (PSNI) does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request
For the most recent 12-month period and the current reporting year to date which data is readily available, please provide the following information in relation to Use of Force incidents recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland
The number of Use of Force incidents where the location was recorded as:
Request 1
Custody (including booking-in areas, cell areas or custody suites)
Answer 1
There were 769 use of force incidents between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 where the location was recorded as a custody suite/dock (1).
(1) Number of incidents is based on a count of unique occurrence numbers.
Request 2
Hospital or medical setting
Answer 2
There were 533 use of force incidents between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 where the location was recorded as a hospital (1).
(1) Number of incidents is based on a count of unique occurrence numbers.
Request 3
Post-arrest transport or handling
Answer 3
This information is not held.
Request 4
Of the incidents in (1), please state how many a) Recorded that an officer was assaulted
Answer 4
Of the 769 use of force incidents where the location was recorded as a custody suite/dock, at least one officer/custody detention officer was assaulted in 676 of them (2).
(2) This figure is dependent on an officer/custody detention officer having accurately recorded a method of assault on the use of force record. This is based on unvalidated management information.
Request 5
Of the incidents in (1), please state how many a) Recorded that an officer was injured as a result of the incident
Answer 5
Of the 769 use of force incidents where the location was recorded as a custody suite/dock, at least one officer/custody detention officer who used force was injured in 76 of them (3).
(3) This information relates to the officer/custody detention officer using force only and does not include any other officers/staff who may have been present. The information is based on unvalidated management information and is therefore dependent on it being accurately recorded on the use of force record.
Request 6
Where recorded, of the incidents in (1), please state how many a) Recorded that a Taser was available at the time of the incident
Answer 6
Of the 769 use of force incidents where the location was recorded as a custody suite/dock, a Conductive Energy Device (commonly known as a Taser) was carried by none of the officers who used force (3).
(3) This information relates to the officer/custody detention officer using force only and does not include any other officers/staff who may have been present. The information is based on unvalidated management information and is therefore dependent on it being accurately recorded on the use of force record.
Request 7
Where recorded, of the incidents in (1), please provide a breakdown by a) Primary subject behaviour category (e.g. active resistance, aggressive resistance, serious/aggravated resistance)
Please provide the information as simple aggregated counts. No personal data is requested.
Answer 7
This information is not held.