The Police Service of Northern Ireland has concluded Operation Season’s Greetings, the annual Christmas policing operation focused on keeping people safe throughout the festive and New Year period.
Running from late November through early January, the operation saw officers across all districts deliver a highly visible policing presence in busy town centres, shopping areas and nightlife zones. Patrols focused on locations with increased festive footfall, including the Belfast Christmas Market, Victoria Square, The Boulevard Banbridge, The Junction Antrim and key rail and transport hubs across Northern Ireland.
The operation also included targeted enforcement around road safety, retail crime, antisocial behaviour, and violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, who led the operation, said: “Operation Season’s Greetings 2025 demonstrated the best of community-focused policing: visibility, prevention and partnership. Officers and staff across every district worked tirelessly to ensure people could enjoy the festive season safely.”
In total, officers patrolled 68 targeted areas on over 2,100 occasions, supported by colleagues from neighbourhood, response and specialist units. The operation also included Project Vigilant, which deployed plain-clothed and uniformed officers across key nightlife locations to identify and intervene in predatory or concerning behaviour.
“Our proactive approach through Project Vigilant and other safeguarding initiatives helped prevent harm, offered reassurance, and demonstrated our ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls,” ACC Henderson said.
Retail crime and antisocial behaviour were also key focuses throughout the operation. Between 1 December 2025 and 31 December 2025, police recorded:
· 2,954 reports of antisocial behaviour, representing a decrease of 4.4% compared with the same period last year.
· 662 shoplifting offences, representing an increase of 1.7% compared with the same period last year.
ACC Henderson said: “Our patrols across busy shopping areas and transport hubs created safer spaces for shoppers, commuters and those enjoying nights out. We remain grateful to local councils, retailers and community groups whose partnership work made this possible.”
Violence towards police officers and staff also remained a concern. Between 1 December 2025 and 31 December 2025, there were 228 assaults on police officers, compared to 274 during the same period last year.
“Sadly, we continue to see unacceptable levels of violence directed towards our people,” ACC Henderson added.
“While we welcome any reduction, even one assault on an officer or staff member is one too many. These assaults included officers being kicked, punched, spat on and subjected to threatening or abusive behaviour while simply doing their jobs. In a number of cases, officers sustained minor injuries such as cuts and bruising, while others required medical treatment.”
Partnership remained central to the operation’s success, with continued collaboration through the Business Crime Partnership, Retail NI, Translink and local councils and community organisations.
“By working together, we created safer spaces for shoppers, commuters and those enjoying nights out. My thanks go to all our partners and to every officer and staff member whose professionalism and dedication made this possible,” ACC Henderson said.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Retail NI was pleased to work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this successful operation. It is good example of partnership between business and the police to tackle a challenge, particularly at such a critical time of the year for the retail sector.
“We look forward to building on this partnership throughout 2026.”
For advice on personal safety, crime prevention and how to contact local police, visit www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support.