Paramilitary assaults fall to lowest level since 1983

Date published: 14 May 2026

New accredited official statistics published by NISRA statisticians in the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), present information on police recorded security situation statistics.

Key findings

• There were no security related deaths during 2025/26, as was also the case in the previous year (2024/25).
• There were 8 shooting incidents in 2025/26, approximately half the number recorded in the previous year (18). This is the lowest number of shooting incidents since records began in 1969.
• There were 19 bombing incidents in 2025/26, nearly four times the number recorded in the previous year (5). The number of bombing incidents had been notably lower between 2021/22 and 2024/25 before this increase.
• There was one casualty of a paramilitary style shooting in 2025/26, compared to 8 in the previous year. This is the lowest number since records began in 1973. The single incident occurred in Belfast and was attributed to Republicans.
• There were 21 casualties of paramilitary style assaults in 2025/26, 3 fewer than in the previous year (24) and the lowest number recorded since 1983/84. The majority of assaults (16 of 21) were attributed to Loyalists. Belfast recorded the highest number of casualties (8), followed by Derry City and Strabane (4).
• There were 18 arrests under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in 2025/26, compared to 52 in the previous year. Six people were subsequently charged, compared to 7 in 2024/25. These are the lowest numbers of arrests and charges since records began in 2001/02.

About this publication

This publication provides a summary of the trends relating to the security situation throughout the Troubles and up to the present day. Comparisons are made with previous years where applicable. 

Further information

For the full report, data tables and background information: Police Recorded Security Situation Statistics