Security Related Incidents at Lowest Levels since 1969

Date published: 15 May 2025

New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) present Security Situation Statistics for Northern Ireland for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Key findings:

• No security related deaths were recorded during 2024/25, compared to one during the previous year. This marks the first financial year since records began in 1969 with zero security related deaths.
• Shooting incidents fell to 18, down from 25 in the previous year, representing the lowest level since records began. Belfast saw a dramatic reduction from 10 to just 2 incidents.
• There were only 5 bombing incidents, a decrease from 7 in 2023/24. Belfast experienced no bombing incidents for the first time in 29 years.
• Casualties resulting from paramilitary style assaults decreased to 24, down from 25 in the previous year and significantly lower than the 58 recorded in 2015/16.
• Paramilitary style shootings resulted in 8 casualties, down from 12 in the previous year. Only one such shooting was attributed to Republicans in 2024/25, the lowest number since 1995/96.
• For the first time since local policing level records began in 1984/85, no paramilitary style shootings occurred in Belfast.
• Police recovered 20 firearms, 0.3kg of explosives and 1,293 rounds of ammunition during security operations.
• 52 people were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, with 7 subsequently charged with offences.

About the publication:

The full report provides analysis of:

• Security related deaths
• Shooting and bombing incidents
• Paramilitary style assaults and shootings
• Recovery of firearms, explosives and ammunition
• Section 41 Terrorism Act arrests and charges
• District level breakdowns

Further information:

Read the full report: Security Situation Statistics for Northern Ireland, period ending 31 March 2025