Northern Ireland sees notable drop in crime and anti-social behaviour, PSNI reports
- Love Ballymena
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has released its latest annual recorded crime statistics, revealing a marked decrease in criminal activity across all policing districts.
Covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the report highlights a significant 7.9% fall in overall recorded crime, including violent offences, robbery, criminal damage and harassment.
In numerical terms, 8,233 fewer crimes were reported compared to the previous 12-month period — the equivalent of 686 fewer crimes per month. Among the districts, Newry, Mourne and Down recorded the sharpest decline, with a 14.7% reduction in reported crimes.
This decline represents the most substantial annual reduction in recent years and aligns with a broader trend of improving public safety across Northern Ireland.
In addition, anti-social behaviour incidents have reached their lowest levels since records began in 2006/07. The PSNI recorded 1,104 fewer anti-social behaviour reports than the previous year, reflecting a 2.4% drop and setting a new record low for such incidents in the region.
Top 5 Districts by Recorded Crime (Highest to Lowest):
Belfast City – 32,264
Derry City & Strabane – 9,753
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon – 9,009
Newry, Mourne & Down – 7,638
Antrim & Newtownabbey – 6,602
Top 5 Districts by Largest % Drop in Crime:
Newry, Mourne & Down – -14.7%
Derry City & Strabane – -13.0%
Ards & North Down – -10.9%
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon – -10.8%
Causeway Coast & Glens – -10.5%
Districts with Lowest % Drop:
Belfast City – -3.0%
Antrim & Newtownabbey – -4.0%
Notable Highlights:
Newry, Mourne & Down saw the largest percentage decrease at -14.7%.
Derry City & Strabane also recorded a substantial decline of 13.0%.
The smallest decrease was observed in Belfast City at -3.0%, although it still has the highest overall crime volume.
While Belfast remains the district with the highest total crime, it also showed a slight improvement. Districts with larger urban populations, such as Derry City & Strabane and Newry, Mourne & Down, saw the sharpest improvements in crime reduction. However, Antrim & Newtownabbey and Belfast City, despite being more populous, posted modest improvements.
Locally in Mid and East Antrim:
Recorded crimes (Apr 2023 – Mar 2024): 6,347
Recorded crimes (Apr 2024 – Mar 2025): 5,897
Change: -450 crimes
Percentage change: -7.1%
Mid & East Antrim’s 7.1% reduction mirrors the national trend but is less significant than in neighbouring areas like Causeway Coast & Glens or Armagh. It is ranked 6th in crime volume and 9th in percentage reduction.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton welcomed the figures, stating:
“These significant reductions demonstrate once again that not only is Northern Ireland one of the safest places to live, work and raise a family but also that the PSNI is a service that everyone here can be proud.”
He added:
“We remain committed to policing with our communities and I would hope these figures provide them with further confidence that policing works and that by working together with us together we can prevent crime and protect victims from harm.”
While celebrating the reductions, DCC Singleton also stressed the challenges still facing frontline officers.
“The continued contribution of our officers and staff to these reductions really shouldn’t be under-estimated or taken for granted. It’s also important, I think, to recognise that whilst the overall number of crime and anti-social behaviour incidents has reduced, the work that goes into dealing with them is becoming increasingly complex and resource-intensive.”
He cautioned that despite the positive headline figures, pressures are mounting:
“This set alongside declining police numbers means that our officers and staff are, despite these headline reductions, actually under increasing pressure and stress as was highlighted recently by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.”
In response, the PSNI is working closely with the Department of Justice and other executive partners to maintain the current trajectory.
“We aren’t complacent about this and are actively working with the Department of Justice and the wider Executive to ensure that the peace, security and stability we all enjoy is not undermined by declining police numbers and to ensure it remains a foundation for the wider programme for government,” Singleton affirmed.
Numbers by districts across Northern Ireland:
Below: Antisocial behaviour incidents recorded by police in 12 months to 31st March 2025
Below: Race incidents and crimes recorded by police in 12 months to 31st March 2025
Below: Domestic abuse crime and incidents recorded by police in 12 months to 31st March 2025
Below: Drug-related arrests recorded by police in 12 months to 31st March 2025
The full set of recorded crime and anti-social behaviour statistics can be accessed via the official PSNI website: PSNI Annual Statistics 2024/25