Recorded Crime Levels in Northern Ireland Reach Second Lowest Since 1998/99

Date published: 15 May 2025

New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show recorded crime figures for Northern Ireland in the 2024/25 financial year.

Key findings:

• There were 95,968 crimes recorded in Northern Ireland during 2024/25, representing a significant decrease of 8,233 (-7.9%) when compared with the previous 12 months.
• The level recorded in 2024/25 is the second lowest since the data series began in 1998/99, with only 2020/21 (during pandemic lockdown restrictions) recording lower figures.
• All policing districts experienced a decrease in crime levels, with Newry, Mourne and Down showing the largest reduction (-14.7%), while Belfast City saw the smallest decrease (-3.0%).
• Each month from April 2024 to March 2025 recorded lower levels than the same months in the previous year, with August showing the largest decrease (-14%).
• This decline follows 2022/23, which had recorded the highest crime level in eighteen years.

About the publication:

The full report provides analysis of:

• Long-term crime trends since 1998/99
• Geographic distribution of crime across policing districts
• Monthly crime patterns throughout the year
• Crime types and categories
• Crime outcomes framework

Further information:

Read the full report: Police Recorded Crime in Northern Ireland - Update to 31st March 2025