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Background Information on Northern Ireland Society
- Security and Defence



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Text and Research: Fionnuala McKenna, Brendan Lynn, and Martin Melaugh
Material is added to this site on a regular basis - information on this page may change

Security and Defence

This section provides some brief background information on the security situation in Northern Ireland. This section only covers information about crime or violence in relation to the political conflict.

Summary

  • The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came into being on 4 November 2001 with a change to the name of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
  • The former police force in Northern Ireland, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), was established on 1 June 1922. Up until March 1970 the size of the RUC never exceeded 3,500 members, but this was reassessed in the light of 'the Troubles', and membership of the RUC stood at 8,489 when it was replaced by the PSNI. Its total expenditure for the 1994-1995 financial year was £601.1 million. For the financial year 2001/02 a sum of £658.8 million was allocated for police services in Northern Ireland.
  • The RUC had always been composed mainly from members of the Protestant community. In 1992, only 7.78 per cent of the full-time force were Catholic, and an even smaller percentage than this could be found in the reserve forces.
  • In May 1996, the Government published a White Paper containing specific proposals for reform of policing structures, aimed at making the force more fair, impartial and accountable. Chris Patten produced a report containing recommendations for the police service in Northern Ireland. The report was published in September 1999 and an Updated Implementation Plan 2001 was published on 17 August 2001. The report called for sweeping changes to the RUC's name, badge, structure, ethos, and recruitment procedures.
  • The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) came into existence in Northern Ireland on 1 April 1970, as a direct consequence of the proposals of the Hunt Report. In effect, the force was a replacement for the all-Protestant Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) or 'B Specials', and their role was to provide support for the regular police force. Initially, the UDR had up to 18 per cent Catholic membership, but by 1991, this figure had fallen dramatically to only 3 per cent.
  • The Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) was formed on 1 July 1992 as a result of the merger of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment. The new regiment is made up of one General Service battalion, liable to serve worldwide, and six Home Service battalions which only serve in Northern Ireland. The total strength of the home-based battalions remains broadly the same as the former strength of the UDR and continues to include both part-time and full-time soldiers. At the end of 1994 it employed some 5,500 individuals, with 3,000 being full-time and 2,500 part time soldiers.
  • In 1969 the British Army was deployed on the streets of Northern Ireland. It was welcomed at first by the Catholic community, but this attitude was short-lived. The number of British soldiers present in Northern Ireland fluctuates, in response to the security situation. The figures peaked in 1972, when it reached over 30,000. By 1994, this figure stood at 18,500. Subsequent to the IRA ceasefire of 1994, this figure was reduced to 17,000. As of the end of 2001 this figure had fallen further to around 13,000.

    Sources:

    The following tables provide details of the security situation in Northern Ireland. The information is mainly based on published official statistics. At the bottom of each table is a full list of sources but the main sources for this section were:
    Police Constable's Annual Report;
    PSNI Statistics Branch website: http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm ;
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics;
    Irish Almanac and Yearbook of Facts; and
    "A Partnership for Change", A Report on Further Consultation by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland.

    List of Tables

    Table NI-SEC-01: Strength (number) of the RUC, and the UDR / RIR, 1985 to 2001-02
    Table NI-SEC-02: Establishment and actual strength (number) of PSNI, as at 19 June 2003
        Old Table: The ranks of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), 2001 and 1995
    Table NI-SEC-03: British Army personnel (number) in Northern Ireland, 1969 to 2004 (incomplete)
    Table NI-SEC-04: Persons killed (number) due to the security situation in Northern Ireland (only), 1969-2002
    Table NI-SEC-05: Persons injured (number) due to the security situation in Northern Ireland (only), 1969 to 2003
    Table NI-SEC-06: Security related incidents (number) in Northern Ireland (only), shootings, bombings, and incendiaries, 1969 to 2003
    Table NI-SEC-07: Firearms, and explosive finds in Northern Ireland (only), 1969-2003
    Table NI-SEC-08: Armed robberies, 1969 to 2001-02
    Table NI-SEC-09: Number of people charged with terrorist and other serious offences (numbers), 1969-2003
    Table NI-SEC-10: Number of persons charged with terrorist and serious public order offences by paramilitary grouping, 2000-2003
    Table NI-SEC-11: Casualties (numbers) as a result of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland, 1973-2003
    Table NI-SEC-12: Parade statistics (numbers), 2002 and 2001
    Table NI-SEC-13: Outcomes of complaints (numbers) against the police, during 2002-03
        Old Table: Outcomes of Complaints against the Police Completed during 2001/02
        Old Table: Public Attitudes to Policing: Results of a survey taken September 1996
        Old Table: Public Attitudes on the performance of Local Police, 1994 and 1996
    Table NI-SEC-14: Deaths from the conflict in Northern Ireland (1969-2001), and total population (2001), at Ward level, ranked from highest Deaths.
    Table NI-SEC-15: Death Rate (and Deaths) from the conflict in Northern Ireland (1969-2001), and total population (2001), at Ward level, ranked from highest Death Rate.

    The following are links to other pages of interest on the CAIN server:
    Statistics on deaths from the conflict
    A chronological list of major violent incidents in Northern Ireland, from 1971-1994
    A list of significant violent incidents during 'the Troubles'


    The Tables

    Table NI-SEC-01: Strength (number) of the RUC, and the UDR / RIR, 1985 to 2001-02
    Year

    RUC / PSNI Total 1

    RUC / PSNI Males

    RUC / PSNI Females

    RUC / PSNI Reserve Full-Time

    RUC / PSNI Reserve Part-Time

    UDR / RIR Full-Time

    UDR / RIR Part-Time

    1985

    8259

    n/a

    n/a

    2755

    1753

    2755

    3739

    1986

    8234

    n/a

    n/a

    2754

    1660

    2672

    3736

    1987

    8236

    n/a

    n/a

    2991

    1659

    2785

    3746

    1988

    8231

    n/a

    n/a

    2993

    1656

    2858

    3535

    1989

    8259

    n/a

    n/a

    3018

    1605

    2947

    3283

    1990

    8231

    7525

    706

    2990

    1554

    2955

    3088

    1991

    8217

    7510

    707

    3042

    1518

    3277

    2999

    1992

    8478

    7688

    790

    3160

    1433

    2797

    2620

    1993

    8464

    7646

    818

    3184

    1388

    2902

    2510

    1994

    8493

    7640

    853

    3199

    1491

    2956

    2285

    1995

    8440

    7541

    899

    2938

    1481

    n/a

    n/a

    1996

    8428

    7531

    897

    2929

    1473

    n/a

    n/a

    1997

    8485

    7562

    923

    2982

    1324

    n/a

    n/a

    1997-98 2

    8505

    7580

    925

    2975

    1299

    n/a

    n/a

    1998-99

    8496

    7534

    962

    2862

    1217

    n/a

    n/a

    1999-00

    8393

    7406

    987

    2688

    1152

    n/a

    n/a

    2000-01

    7894

    6916

    978

    2293

    1072

    n/a

    n/a

    2001-02

    6976

    6058

    918

    2184

    1001

    n/a

    n/a

    Notes:
    1. The Royal Ulster Constabulary became the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 4 November 2001
    2. From 1 April 1998 the RUC compiled and published its statistics on a financial year basis (31 March)
    PSNI - Police Service of Northern Ireland
    RUC - Royal Ulster Constabulary
    UDR - Ulster Defence Regiment (A regiment of the British Army recruited in Northern Ireland, 1 April 1970 to July 1992)
    RIR - Royal Irish Regiment (Established from the merger of the UDR and the Royal Irish Rangers in July 1992)
    n/a - Figures not available
    Sources:
    Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). (2001) Chief Constable's Annual Report, 2000/01.
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Chief Constable's Annual Report, 2002/03.
    Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2002). Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics, 1999 and 2002.
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-02: Establishment and actual strength (number) of PSNI, as at 19 June 2003
    Badges of Rank

    Establishment

    Actual

    Chief Constable

    1

    1

    Deputy Chief Constable

    1

    1

    Assistant Chief Constable

    6

    6

    Chief Superintendent

    35

    31

    Superintendent

    68

    78

    Chief Inspector

    138

    131

    Inspector

    409

    390

    Sergeant

    1167

    1123

    Constable

    5675

    5261

    Total Regular Officers

    7500

    7219

    Full-time Reserve

    1684

    1746

    Part-time Reserve

    2500

    903

    Notes:
    PSNI - Police Service of Northern Ireland
    Sources:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Actual Strength of the PSNI as of 19/06/03;
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Ranks of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, 1995 and 2001

    Rank

    Effective Strength 20011
    (number)

    Establishment 1995
    (number)

    Chief Constable

    1

    1

    Deputy Chief Constable

    1

    2

    Assistant Chief Constable

    4

    9

    Chief Superintendent / Superintendent

    124

    42

    Chief Inspector

    150

    167

    Inspector

    433

    491

    Sergeant

    1,278

    1,414

    Constable

    5,819

    6,243

    Total Regulars:

    7,810

    8,489

    RUC Reserve Full-Time

    2,496

    3,202

    RUC Reserve Part-Time

    1,073

    1,765

    Civilian Staff Full-Time

    2,971

    -

    Civilian Staff Part-Time

    454

    -

    Notes:
    1. Does not include secondments; as at 31 March 2001
    Sources:
    Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable's Annual Report, 2001
    Irish Almanac and Yearbook, 1997


    Table NI-SEC-03: British Army Personnel (number) in Northern Ireland, 1969 to 2005 (incomplete)
    Year British Army Total British Regiments UDR / RIR Total UDR / RIR Full-Time UDR / RIR Part-Time
    1969 (Jun)

    2700

    2700

         
    1970 (Jan)

    8100

    6300

    1800

       
    1971

    11800

    7800

    4000

       
    1972

    22800

    14300

    8500

       
    1972 (Jul)

    30300

    21800

    8500

       
    1973 (Jan)

    26000

    16900

    9100

       
    1974

    23900

    16200

    7700

       
    1975

    22700

    15000

    7700

       
    1976

    22800

    15100

    7700

       
    1977

    21900

    14300

    7600

       
    1978

    22200

    14400

    7800

       
    1979

    21200

    13600

    7600

       
    1980

    19300

    11900

    7400

       
    1981

    19100

    11600

    7500

       
    1982

    18011

    10900

    7111

    2793

    4318

    1983

    17125

    10200

    6925

    2690

    4235

    1984

    16468

    10000

    6468

    2689

    3779

    1985

    16194

    9700

    6494

    2755

    3739

    1986

    16908

    10500

    6408

    2672

    3736

    1987

    17931

    11400

    6531

    2785

    3746

    1988

    17593

    11200

    6393

    2858

    3535

    1989

    17430

    11200

    6230

    2947

    3283

    1990    

    6043

    2955

    3088

    1991    

    6276

    3277

    2999

    1992

    17417

    12000

    5417

    2797

    2620

    1993    

    5412

    2902

    2510

    1994 (Jul)

    19500

     

    5241

    2956

    2285

    1995          
    1996          
    1997          
    1998

    15500

    10500

    5000

    3000

    2000

    1999

    15500

    11150

    4350

    2500

    1850

    2000 (Jun)

    13500

           
    2001

    13000

           
    2002
    13681
           
    2003
    13311
           
    2004
    12658
           
    2005 (31 Jul)
    10083
           
    2007 (31 Jul)1
    50001
           
    Notes:
    1. The MOD confirmed on 28 March 2006 the major troop reductions to the planned level of no more than 5,000 by 31 Jul 07.
    UDR - Ulster Defence Regiment (A regiment of the British Army recruited in Northern Ireland, 1 April 1970 to 1 July 1992)
    RIR - Royal Irish Regiment (Established from the merger of the UDR and the Royal Irish Rangers on 1 July 1992)
    This information on British Army troop levels is incomplete, it is hoped to be able to complete the table in the future.
    Sources:
    Hadfield, B. (ed.) (1992) 'Northern Ireland: Politics and the Constitution'. Buckingham: Open University Press.
    Ireland Almanac and Yearbook of Facts, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics, 1994
    Various press reports.
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-04: Deaths (number) due to the security situation in Northern Ireland (only), 1969-2002
    Year

    Police 1

    Police Reserve 2

    British Army

    UDR / RIR 3

    Civilian

    Totals

    1969 4

    1

    0

    0

    0

    13

    14

    1970

    2

    0

    0

    0

    23

    25

    1971

    11

    0

    43

    5

    115

    174

    1972

    14

    3

    105

    26

    322

    470

    1973

    10

    3

    58

    8

    173

    252

    1974

    12

    3

    30

    7

    168

    220

    1975

    7

    4

    14

    6

    216

    247

    1976

    13

    10

    14

    15

    245

    297

    1977

    8

    6

    15

    14

    69

    112

    1978

    4

    6

    14

    7

    50

    81

    1979

    9

    5

    38

    10

    51

    113

    1980

    3

    6

    8

    9

    50

    76

    1981

    13

    8

    10

    13

    57

    101

    1982

    8

    4

    21

    7

    57

    97

    1983

    9

    9

    5

    10

    44

    77

    1984

    7

    2

    9

    10

    36

    64

    1985

    14

    9

    2

    4

    26

    55

    1986

    10

    2

    4

    8

    37

    61

    1987

    9

    7

    3

    8

    68

    95

    1988

    4

    2

    21

    12

    55

    94

    1989

    7

    2

    12

    2

    39

    62

    1990

    7

    5

    7

    8

    49

    76

    1991

    5

    1

    5

    8

    75

    94

    1992

    2

    1

    4

    2

    76

    85

    1993

    3

    3

    6

    2

    70

    84

    1994

    3

    0

    1

    2

    56

    62

    1995

    1

    0

    0

    0

    8

    9

    1996

    0

    0

    1

    0

    14

    15

    1997

    3

    1

    1

    0

    17

    22

    1998

    1

    0

    1

    0

    53

    55

    1999

    0

    0

    0

    0

    7

    7

    2000

    0

    0

    0

    0

    18

    18

    2001

    0

    0

    0

    0

    17

    17

    2002

    0

    0

    0

    0

    13

    13

    2003 (to 10/08/03) 5

    0

    0

    0

    0

    8

    8

    Grand Total

    200

    102

    452

    203

    2392

    3349

    Notes:
    1. Includes Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) / Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
    2. Includes Royal Ulster Constabulary / Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve.
    3. Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) / Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) (Home Service Battalions).
    4. Statistics for 1969 deaths are for the period August to December only.
    5. 2002 and 2003 statistics are provisional and may be subject to amendment.
    Sources:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Deaths due to the Security Situation in Northern Ireland 1969-2003 (By Calendar Year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002; Table 6.3
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-05: Persons injured (number) due to the security situation in Northern Ireland (only), 1969 to 2003
    Year

    Police 1

    Army

    UDR / RIR 2

    Civilian

    Totals

    1968

    379

    0

    n/a

    n/a

    379

    1969

    711

    54

    n/a

    n/a

    765

    1970

    191

    620

    n/a

    n/a

    811

    1971

    315

    381

    9

    1,887

    2,592

    1972

    485

    542

    36

    3,813

    4,876

    1973

    291

    525

    23

    1,812

    2,651

    1974

    235

    453

    30

    1,680

    2,398

    1975

    263

    151

    16

    2,044

    2,474

    1976

    303

    242

    22

    2,162

    2,729

    1977

    183

    172

    15

    1,017

    1,387

    1978

    302

    127

    8

    548

    985

    1979

    165

    132

    21

    557

    875

    1980

    194

    53

    24

    530

    801

    1981

    332

    112

    28

    878

    1,350

    1982

    99

    80

    18

    328

    525

    1983

    142

    66

    22

    280

    510

    1984

    267

    64

    22

    513

    866

    1985

    415

    20

    13

    468

    916

    1986

    622

    45

    10

    773

    1,450

    1987

    246

    92

    12

    780

    1,130

    1988

    218

    211

    18

    600

    1,047

    1989

    163

    175

    15

    606

    959

    1990

    214

    190

    24

    478

    906

    1991

    139

    197

    56

    570

    962

    1992

    148

    302

    18

    598

    1,066

    1993

    147

    146

    27

    504

    824

    1994

    170

    120

    6

    529

    825

    1995

    370

    8

    5

    554

    937

    1996

    459

    53

    2

    905

    1,419

    1997

    357

    136

    14

    730

    1,237

    1998

    435

    70

    17

    1130

    1,652

    1999

    395

    20

    16

    552

    983

    2000

    446

    25

    2

    591

    1,064

    2001

    876

    44

    11

    667

    1,598

    2002 3

    456

    39

    38

    628

    1,161

    2003 (to 30/06/03) 3

    79

    5

    1

    346

    431

    Grand Totals

    11212

    5672

    590

    30,058

    47541

    Notes:
    1. Includes Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) / Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Reserve.
    2. Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) / Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) (Home Service Battalions)
    3. 2002 and 2003 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment in the future.
    n/a - not available
    Sources:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Persons injured as a result of the Security Situation in Northern Ireland 1969-2003, (by calendar year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002; Table 6.3
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-06: Security related incidents (number) in Northern Ireland (only), shootings, bombings, and incendiaries, 1969 to 2003
    Year

    Shooting incidents

    Bombings 1

    Incendiaries

    Incidents

    Devices used

    Incidents

    Devices Used

    Bomb Explosions

    Devices Neutralised

    Total Devices Used

    1969

    73

    n/a

    9

    1

    10

    n/a

    0

    1970

    213

    n/a

    153

    17

    170

    n/a

    0

    1971

    1,756

    n/a

    1022

    493

    1515

    n/a

    0

    1972

    10,631

    n/a

    1382

    471

    1853

    n/a

    0

    1973

    5,019

    n/a

    978

    542

    1520

    n/a

    0

    1974

    3,208

    n/a

    685

    428

    1113

    n/a

    270

    1975

    1,803

    n/a

    399

    236

    635

    n/a

    56

    1976

    1,908

    n/a

    766

    426

    1192

    n/a

    236

    1977

    1,081

    n/a

    366

    169

    535

    n/a

    608

    1978

    755

    n/a

    455

    178

    633

    n/a

    115

    1979

    728

    n/a

    422

    142

    564

    n/a

    60

    1980

    642

    n/a

    280

    120

    400

    n/a

    2

    1981

    1,142

    n/a

    398

    131

    529

    n/a

    49

    1982

    547

    n/a

    219

    113

    332

    n/a

    36

    1983

    424

    n/a

    266

    101

    367

    n/a

    43

    1984

    334

    n/a

    193

    55

    248

    n/a

    10

    1985

    238

    n/a

    148

    67

    215

    n/a

    36

    1986

    392

    n/a

    172

    82

    254

    n/a

    21

    1987

    674

    n/a

    236

    148

    384

    n/a

    9

    1988

    538

    n/a

    253

    205

    458

    n/a

    8

    1989

    566

    n/a

    224

    196

    420

    n/a

    7

    1990

    557

    236

    166

    120

    286

    26

    33

    1991

    499

    312

    231

    137

    368

    144

    237

    1992

    506

    318

    222

    149

    371

    86

    126

    1993

    476

    257

    206

    83

    289

    45

    61

    1994

    348

    207

    123

    99

    222

    88

    115

    1995

    50

    2

    1

    1

    2

    10

    10

    1996

    125

    17

    8

    17

    25

    4

    4

    1997

    225

    78

    43

    50

    93

    9

    9

    1998

    211

    127

    n/a

    n/a

    243

    20

    20

    1999

    125

    82

    n/a

    n/a

    100

    7

    7

    2000

    302

    117

    n/a

    n/a

    135

    22

    22

    2001

    355

    349

    n/a

    n/a

    444

    5

    6

    2002

    350

    188

    n/a

    n/a

    239

    3

    3

    2003
    (to 30/06/03) 2

    122

    40

    n/a

    n/a

    45

    6

    6

    Grand totals

    36923

         

    16209

     

    2225

    Notes:
    1. Includes explosions / ignitions and defusings. Incidents involving petrol bombs or hoax calls are excluded
    2. Statistics for 2003 are provisional and may be subject to amendment
    n/a Not available.
    Sources:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Security Related Incidents 1969-2003 (by calendar year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002; Table 6.2
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-07: Firearms, and explosive finds in Northern Ireland (only), 1969-2003
    Year

    Firearms found (number)

    Explosives found (kg)

    1969 1

    14

    102

    1970

    324

    305

    1971

    716

    1,246

    1972

    1,259

    18,819

    1973

    1,313

    17,426

    1974

    1,236

    11,848

    1975

    820

    4,996

    1976

    736

    9,849

    1977

    563

    1,728

    1978

    393

    956

    1979

    300

    905

    1980

    203

    821

    1981

    357

    3,419

    1982

    288

    2,298

    1983

    166

    1,706

    1984

    187

    3,871

    1985

    173

    3,344

    1986

    174

    2,443

    1987

    206

    5,885

    1988

    489

    4,728

    1989

    246

    1,377

    1990

    179

    1,969

    1991

    164

    4,167

    1992

    194

    2,167

    1993

    196

    3,944

    1994

    178

    1,285

    1995

    118

    5

    1996

    98

    1,677

    1997

    105

    1,258

    1998

    88

    883

    1999

    113

    89

    2000

    134

    311

    2001

    97

    117

    2002

    125

    8

    2003 (to 30/06/03) 2

    73

    17

    Grand totals

    12025

    115969

    Notes:
    1. Statistics for 1969 are for the period August to December only
    2. Statistics for 2003 are provisional and may be subject to amendment
    Sources:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Firearms and Explosives Finds, 1969-2003 (By Calendar Year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002; Table 6.2
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-08: Armed robberies, 1969 to 2001-02
    Year

    Armed Robberies 1 (number)

    Armed robberies (Amount in £000s)

    1969 2

    -

    -

    1970

    -

    -

    1971

    489

    304

    1972

    1,931

    795

    1973

    1,317

    612

    1974

    1,353

    576

    1975

    1,325

    572

    1976

    889

    545

    1977

    676

    447

    1978

    493

    223

    1979

    504

    568

    1980

    467

    497

    1981

    689

    855

    1982

    693

    1,392

    1983

    718

    830

    1984

    710

    702

    1985

    542

    656

    1986

    839

    1,207

    1987

    955

    1,900

    1988

    742

    1,389

    1989

    604

    1,079

    1990

    492

    1,729

    1991

    607

    1,673

    1992

    739

    1,666

    1993

    643

    1,515

    1994

    555

    1,709

    1995

    421

    838

    1996

    405

    2,840

    1997

    401

    1,810

    1997-98

    396

    1,845

    1998-99

    367

    1,028

    1999-00

    432

    1,687

    2000-01

    509

    2,180

    2001-02

    636

    7,405

    Grand totals

    22539

    43,074

    Notes:
    1. Where a firearm is used or the impression of a firearm is given. Figures include attempts.
    2. Statistics for 1969 are for the period August to December only.
    Source:
    Northern Ireland Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002; Table 6.2
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-09: Number of people charged with terrorist and other serious offences (numbers), 1969-2003
    Year

    Persons Charged

    1972 1

    531

    1973

    1,418

    1974

    1,374

    1975

    1,197

    1976

    1,276

    1977

    1,308

    1978

    843

    1979

    670

    1980

    550

    1981

    918

    1982

    686

    1983

    613

    1984

    528

    1985

    522

    1986

    655

    1987

    471

    1988

    440

    1989

    433

    1990

    383

    1991

    404

    1992

    418

    1993

    372

    1994

    349

    1995

    440

    1996

    595

    1997

    405

    1998

    459

    1999

    296

    2000

    303

    2001

    290

    2002

    333

    2003 (to 31/06/03) 2

    125

    Grand totals

    19605

    Notes:
    1. From 31 July 1972
    2. Statistics for 2003 are provisional and may be subject to amendment
    Source:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI): Number of people charged with terrorist and serious public order offences, 1972-2003 (By Calendar Year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-10: Number of persons charged with terrorist and serious public order offences by paramilitary grouping, 2000-2003
    Type of charge 1

    2000

    2001 3

    2002 3

    Loyalist

    Republican

    Loyalist

    Republican

    Loyalist

    Republican

    Murder

    7

    1

    4

    2

    0

    0

    Attempted Murder

    13

    2

    4

    2

    14

    5

    Firearms offences

    34

    21

    33

    16

    44

    9

    Explosives offences

    3

    13

    11

    4

    3

    8

    Armed robbery

    8

    8

    0

    3

    4

    2

    Other 2

    142

    51

    114

    66

    99

    73

    Total

    207

    96

    166

    93

    164

    97

    Grand Total

    303

    259

    261

    Notes:
    1. Where an individual has been charged for a number of offences, only the most serious offence is shown
    2. For example, petrol bombing and hijacking offences
    3. Statistics for 2001 and 2002 are provisional and may be changed
    Source:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Number of people charged with terrorist and serious public order offences, 1972-2003 (By Calendar Year);
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-11:  Casualties (numbers) as a result of paramilitary 'punishment' attacks in Northern Ireland, 1973-2009 (Calander Year), and 2010/11-2017/18 (Financial Year)

    Year

    Shootings 1

    Assaults 2

    Shootings and Assaults

    Total

    By Loyalist Group

    By Republican Group

    Total

    By Loyalist Group

    By Republican Group

    Total Casualties (Shootings and Assaults)

    Total by Loyalist Group

    Total by Republican Group

    1973

    74

    21

    53

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1974

    127

    43

    84

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1975

    189

    50

    139

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1976

    98

    36

    62

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1977

    126

    28

    98

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1978

    67

    17

    50

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1979

    76

    25

    51

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1980

    77

    26

    51

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1981

    80

    14

    66

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1982

    81

    22

    59

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1983

    31

    9

    22

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1984

    26

    6

    20

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1985

    32

    11

    21

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1986

    41

    24

    17

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1987

    124

    67

    57

    -

    n/a

    n/a

    -

    -

    -

    1988

    66

    34

    32

    56

    21

    35

    122

    55

    67

    1989

    161

    65

    96

    51

    23

    28

    212

    88

    124

    1990

    106

    60

    46

    68

    21

    47

    174

    81

    93

    1991

    76

    40

    36

    62

    22

    40

    138

    62

    76

    1992

    133

    72

    61

    74

    36

    38

    207

    108

    99

    1993

    85

    60

    25

    41

    35

    6

    126

    95

    31

    1994

    122

    68

    54

    70

    38

    32

    192

    106

    86

    1995

    3

    3

    0

    217

    76

    141

    220

    79

    141

    1996

    24

    21

    3

    302

    130

    172

    326

    151

    175

    1997

    72

    46

    26

    156

    78

    78

    228

    124

    104

    1998

    72

    34

    38

    144

    89

    55

    216

    123

    93

    1999

    73

    47

    26

    134

    90

    44

    207

    137

    70

    2000

    136

    86

    50

    132

    78

    54

    268

    164

    104

    2001

    186

    121

    65

    146

    93

    53

    332

    214

    118

    2002

    173

    117

    56

    139

    89

    50

    312

    206

    106

    2003

    156

    101

    55

    149

    103

    46

    305

    204

    101

    2004

    112

    89

    23

    115

    74

    41

    227

    163

    64

    2005

    85

    74

    11

    89

    60

    29

    174

    134

    40

    2006

    36

    25

    11

    49

    33

    16

    85

    58

    27

    2007

    6

    1

    5

    46

    39

    7

    52

    40

    12

    2008

    16

    3

    13

    40

    28

    12

    56

    31

    25

    2009

    41

    1

    40

    81

    65

    16

    122

    66

    56

    2010 3

    11

    0

    11

    16

    15

    1

    27

    15

    12

    2010/11 4

    33

    0

    33

    50

    34

    16

    83

    34

    49

    2011/12

    33

    0

    33

    46

    31

    15

    79

    31

    48

    2012/13

    27

    1

    26

    36

    27

    9

    63

    28

    35

    2013/14

    28

    9

    19

    42

    37

    5

    70

    46

    24

    2014/15

    36

    6

    30

    58

    42

    16

    94

    48

    46

    2015/16

    14

    1

    13

    58

    47

    11

    72

    48

    24

    2016/17

    28

    3

    25

    66

    56

    10

    94

    59

    35

    2017/18

    22

    1

    21

    65

    50

    15

    87

    51

    36

    Grand totals

    3421

    1588

    1833

    2798

    1660

    1138

    -

    -

    -

    Notes:

    1. "Shootings" refers to paramilitary 'punishment' attacks involving guns

    2.  "Assaults" (or beatings) refers to paramilitary 'punishment' attacks which did not involve guns

    3.  Statistics for 2010 are for 3 months (to 31st March)

    4.  From 1st April 2010, statistics are for financial year (1 April to 31 March)

    n/a  not available

    Source:

    Casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks 1973 - 2017/18, (By Calendar Year, and Financial Year), https://www.psni.police.uk/inside-psni/Statistics/security-situation-statistics/security-situation-statistics-archive/

    Table also available as:

    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document

     

    Table NI-SEC-11:  Casualties (numbers) as a result of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland, 1973-2010

    Year

    Shootings 1

    Assaults 2

     

     

    Total

    By Loyalist Group

    By Republican Group

    Total

    By Loyalist Group

    By Republican Group

    Total Casualties (Shootings and Beatings)

    1973

    74

    21

    53

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1974

    127

    43

    84

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1975

    189

    50

    139

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1976

    98

    36

    62

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1977

    126

    28

    98

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1978

    67

    17

    50

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1979

    76

    25

    51

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1980

    77

    26

    51

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1981

    80

    14

    66

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1982

    81

    22

    59

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1983

    31

    9

    22

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1984

    26

    6

    20

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1985

    32

    11

    21

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1986

    41

    24

    17

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1987

    124

    67

    57

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    1988

    66

    34

    32

    56

    21

    35

    122

    1989

    161

    65

    96

    51

    23

    28

    212

    1990

    106

    60

    46

    68

    21

    47

    174

    1991

    76

    40

    36

    62

    22

    40

    138

    1992

    133

    72

    61

    74

    36

    38

    207

    1993

    85

    60

    25

    41

    35

    6

    126

    1994

    122

    68

    54

    70

    38

    32

    192

    1995

    3

    3

    0

    217

    76

    141

    220

    1996

    24

    21

    3

    302

    130

    172

    326

    1997

    72

    46

    26

    156

    78

    78

    228

    1998

    72

    34

    38

    144

    89

    55

    216

    1999

    73

    47

    26

    134

    90

    44

    207

    2000

    136

    86

    50

    132

    78

    54

    268

    2001

    186

    121

    65

    146

    93

    53

    332

    2002

    173

    117

    56

    139

    89

    50

    312

    2003

    156

    101

    55

    149

    103

    46

    305

    2004

    112

    89

    23

    115

    74

    41

    227

    2005

    85

    74

    11

    89

    60

    29

    174

    2006

    36

    25

    11

    49

    33

    16

    85

    2007

    6

    1

    5

    46

    39

    7

    52

    2008

    16

    3

    13

    40

    28

    12

    56

    2009

    41

    1

    40

    81

    65

    16

    122

    2010 (to 31 Mar)

    11

    0

    11

    16

    15

    1

    27

    Grand totals

    3200

    1567

    1633

    2377

    1336

    1041

    4328

    Notes:

    1. "Shootings" refers to paramilitary 'punishment' attacks involving guns

    2.  "Assaults" (or beatings) refers to paramilitary 'punishment' attacks which did not involve guns

    3.  Statistics for 2010 are provisional and may be changed

    n/a  not available

    Source:

    Casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks 1973 - 2010, (By Calendar Year), http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics.htm

    Table also available as:

    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-12: Parade statistics (numbers), 2002 and 2001
    2002

    Loyalist 1

    Nationalist 2

    Other

    Total

    Total parades

    2,453

    155

    477

    3,085

    Legal parades

    2,452

    152

    477

    3,081

    Illegal parades

    1

    3

    0

    4

    Of the total:

    Parades re-routed

    38

    1

    1

    40

    Parades with other conditions imposed

    69

    2

    0

    71

    Parades at which disorder occurred

    22

    4

    0

    26

    2001

    Loyalist 1

    Nationalist 2

    Other

    Total

    Total parades

    2218

    123

    381

    2722

    Legal parades

    2203

    116

    380

    2699

    Illegal parades

    15

    7

    1

    23

    Of the total:

    Parades re-routed

    43

    3

    2

    48

    Parades with other conditions imposed

    42

    4

    1

    47

    Parades at which disorder occurred

    26

    1

    2

    29

    Notes:
    1. 'Loyalist' parades include those organised by the Orange Order, the Royal Black Preceptory and the Apprentice Boys as well as band parades/contests or protest marches involving the loyalist community.
    2. 'Nationalist' parades includes parades organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish National Foresters as well as band parades/contests or protest marches involving the nationalist community.
    Source:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Parade Statistics, 2000-2002;
    http://www.psni.police.uk/index/departments/statistics_branch.htm
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Table NI-SEC-13: Outcomes 1 of complaints (numbers) against the police, during 2002-03 2
    Type of complaint

    Substantiated

    Not Substantiated

    Withdrawn

    Incapable of Investigation

    Total Completed

    Assault

    1

    163

    10

    46

    220

    Incivility

    2

    33

    0

    3

    38

    Neglect of duty

    2

    27

    1

    6

    36

    Oppressive conduct/harassment

    0

    19

    1

    8

    28

    Unlawful arrest/detention

    0

    10

    0

    3

    13

    Irregularity in procedure

    0

    11

    0

    2

    13

    Irregularity regarding evidence/perjury

    0

    6

    0

    1

    3

    Traffic offence

    0

    0

    0

    0

    7

    Irregularity in search of premises

    0

    3

    0

    0

    0

    Corrupt practice

    0

    1

    0

    0

    4

    Mishandling of property

    0

    4

    0

    0

    0

    Discriminatory behaviour

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    Other

    3

    13

    0

    2

    18

    Totals

    8

    290

    12

    71

    381

    Notes:
    1. Figuers relate to complaints that were initially recorded up to 5th November 2000. From 6th November 2000 responsibility for the recording and investigation of complaints against the police passed to the Office of the Police Ombudsman
    2. During the period 2002/03 the Police Service of Northern Ireland resolved 291 complaints with 332 allegations forwarded to them by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for Informal Resolution.
    Source:
    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). (2003) Chief Constables Annual Report 2002/03;
    http://www.psni.police.uk/reportofchiefconstable.pdf
    Table also available as:
    Rich Text Format (RTF) Document; Microsoft Excel Document


    Outcomes of Complaints against the Police Completed during 2001/02*

    Type of complaint

    Substaniated

    Not Substantiated

    Informally Resolved

    Withdrawn

    Incapable of Investigation

    Total Completed

    Assault

    4

    583

    16

    55

    166

    824

    Incivility

    8

    228

    150

    5

    22

    413

    Neglect of duty

    19

    105

    161

    7

    25

    317

    Oppressive conduct/harrassment

    3

    173

    31

    3

    20

    230

    Unlawful arrest/detention

    0

    49

    3

    4

    26

    82

    Irregularity in procedure

    2

    39

    22

    2

    8

    73

    Irregularity regarding evidence/perjury

    0

    25

    3

    0

    2

    30

    Traffic offence

    0

    10

    10

    1

    3

    24

    Irregularity in search of premises

    0

    11

    10

    0

    2

    23

    Corrupt practice

    1

    13

    0

    0

    1

    15

    Mishandling of property

    0

    7

    4

    0

    2

    13

    Discriminatory behaviour

    0

    2

    3

    0

    0

    7

    Other

    1

    56

    4

    5

    13

    79

    Totals

    38

    1,301

    417

    82

    290

    2,128

    Notes:
    * Figures realte to complaints that were initially recorded up to 5th November 2000 only. From 6th November 2000, responsibility for the recording and investigation of complaints against the police passed to the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
    Source: Outcomes of Complaints against the police completed during 2001/02, Chief Constables Report 2001/02, http://www.psni.police.uk/reports/Report2.pdf


    Public Attitudes to Policing: Results of a survey conducted September 1996

    (i) Confidence in the Police:

    .

    Catholics

    Protestants

    Confidence re.
    General Policing issues

    60%

    90%

    Confidence re.
    Parades and Marches issue

    34%

    73%

    Source: "A Partnership for Change": A report on Further consultation by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland


    (ii) Performance of Local Police:

    .

    1994/1995

    Sept. 1996

    .

    Total
    %

    Protestant
    %

    Catholic
    %

    Total
    %

    Protestant
    %

    Catholic
    %

    Very / fairly good

    74

    79

    67

    68

    77

    55

    Neither good or bad

    11

    10

    14

    13

    10

    17

    Very / fairly poor

    9

    7

    13

    17

    12

    25

    Don't Know / Refusal

    5

    4

    6

    2

    1

    3

    Source: "A Partnership for Change": A report on Further consultation by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland


  • CAIN contains information and source material on the conflict and politics in Northern Ireland.
    CAIN is based within Ulster University.


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