One-in-20 people in Northern Ireland has experienced some form of criminal behaviour, according to official figures, with the number affected soaring by one-third inside 12 months.
The latest Department of Justice survey of the public’s exposure to and perceptions of law-breaking and the criminal justice system shows that 5.1% of people experienced a crime in 2022/23 – an increase of more than 34% on the previous year.
The “statistically significant increase” has prompted calls for the Stormont executive and justice minister to provide the PSNI with the necessary funding to combat crime.
Last month, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned the Policing Board that the PSNI was at “tipping point”.
He acknowledged that there were pressures on other public services but said it was important to “recognise the need for policing to be invested in”.
His remarks came just days after the assembly’s justice committee was told that the Department of Justice, which funds the PSNI, is facing £444 million of pressures.
The findings of the latest Northern Ireland Safe Community Telephone Survey show that while a majority of adults and households did not experience a crime, the proportion who did grew by 1.3% in 2021/22 from 3.8%.
The survey said an estimated 80,000 crime incidents occurred during the latest 12-month period.
While fewer people felt crime in their locality had increased, some 60% believe law-breaking is on the rise across Northern Ireland.
Around one in 12 (8%) respondents voiced a high level of concern about violent crime, while a similar proportion (7%) were very worried about becoming a victim of burglary.
However, both figures represented a decrease on the previous year from 10% and 8% respectively. Of vehicle owners, 5% were very worried about becoming a victim of car crime.
SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan said called for greater police resources, saying “one person being a victim of crime is one too many”.
He said experience of crime left a “lasting mark” on victims.
“While any increase in this figure is concerning, it’s important to remember that these statistics fell significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic and are still below pre-Covid levels,” the Foyle MLA said.
He said the PSNI needed to be “adequately resourced” to ensure officers did their properly.
“Budget cuts have led to a decrease in officer numbers and decimated neighbourhood policing teams,” he said.
“Addressing these issues would be an important start in reducing crime figures and I would urge the executive and justice minister to work with the PSNI and provide them with the funding needed.”
