Findings from the 2020/21 NI Safe Community Telephone Survey

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has published the Research and Statistical Bulletin ‘Findings from the 2020/21 Northern Ireland Safe Community Telephone Survey’ (NISCTS).

 

An Official Statistics publication, the bulletin focuses on key modules contained within the NISCTS relating to:

  • experience of crime
  • perceptions of crime
  • perceptions of policing and justice
  • perceptions of organised crime

 

KEY FINDINGS

  • Results from the 2020/21 NISCTS indicate that most adults/households did not experience a crime asked about in the survey. Latest findings estimate that 3.9% of adults/households were victims of at least one crime measured through the survey during the 12 months prior to interview.
  • Respondents were more positive in their perception of crime trends in their local area than at the regional level with 25% believing local crime levels had increased in the preceding two years compared with 55% for Northern Ireland as a whole.
  • One-in-ten (10%) respondents expressed a high level of worry about burglary with a similar proportion, 8%, very worried about becoming a victim of violent crime.  Of vehicle owners, 5% were very worried about becoming a victim of car crime.
  • Overall public confidence in the police and police accountability arrangements in Northern Ireland as a whole (based on a seven-strand composite measure) was 86% in 2020/21.
  • In terms of the local police, findings suggest that 62% rated their local police as doing an excellent or good job. When asked about overall confidence in their local police, three-in-four (75%) respondents stated that, when taking everything into account, they had confidence in the police in their area.
  • Two-in-three (67%) respondents were very or fairly confident that the criminal justice system as a whole in Northern Ireland is effective while almost three-in-four (73%) felt it was fair.
  • Just over one-in-five (21%) participants considered organised crime to be very or fairly widespread in their local area with a quarter of respondents (25%) believing the level of organised crime had increased in their area over the previous 12 months. 
  • In terms of paramilitary activity, 15% felt it was widespread in their area. Of those who responded it occurred, more than four-in-five (83%) felt there were either strong or some links between paramilitary activity and ongoing organised crime.
  • Of respondents who considered paramilitary groups to have influence in their area, 45% considered it as a ‘negative’ influence, while a further 31% felt the influence was ‘more negative than positive’. 

 

To view the reports please click here.

 
 

New strategy supporting women and girls in contact with justice system

Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a strategy to support women and girls in contact with the justice system.

The strategy focuses on women and girls who are at risk of offending or who have offended, and seeks to intervene at the earliest opportunity to improve outcomes for all those affected, including victims, families and communities.


Naomi Long said:

“Women and girls in contact with the justice system are thankfully small in number.

However, we know that what we do as a justice system can have a significant and long-lasting ‘ripple’ effect not only on their lives but the lives of their families and wider society.


“This strategy presents a significant opportunity to create and deliver meaningful and positive change. It focuses on what can be done to prevent and divert women and girls from crime, supporting them to change in the community, and helping improve their lives and circumstances on the occasion they enter and leave custody.


The Minister added:
“In shaping the strategy we have spoken to some of the women and girls who have a lived experience of the justice system, as well as various partners in the voluntary and community sector. By understanding the circumstances which brings a girl or woman into contact with the justice system, and, by providing alternatives to resolve some of the underlying issues, we can deliver better outcomes for all.

“The strategy also, importantly, encourages women and girls to take responsibility for their own actions and address the harm that has been caused by their behaviour.”


The new strategy, which runs from 2022 to 2029, will be delivered under three key themes; ‘Supporting Change: Early, ‘In the Community’, and ‘In and beyond Custody’ and will provide guidance, training and services to support women and girls to move away from offending; tackle offending behaviour by focusing on and addressing underlying issues, including addiction, mental health and a history of trauma; and support women and girls in and beyond custody.


At the official launch of the strategy in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings, the Spanner in the Works Theatre Company performed the ‘Runny Honey’ play by Patricia Downey, which, in an engaging and thought-provoking way, highlights the issues and challenges that many women and girls in contact with justice, and in custody face.

Hargey launches ‘Active Living’ – the sport and physical activity strategy

A strategy launched today will deliver its vision of a lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity, delivering an active, healthy, resilient and inclusive society which recognises and values both participation and excellence, says Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.

‘Active Living,’ the new Sport and Physical Activity Strategy was launched at an event in Stormont where 240 primary school children got the opportunity to try out a range of activities including Boccia, GAA sports, Hockey, Cricket, Rugby, Football, Orienteering, Climbing, Skateboarding and Boxing.

 

At the event guests heard Olympians Paddy Barnes (Boxing) and Shirley McCay (Hockey) and Paralympian Claire Taggart (Boccia) discuss with Professor Marie Murphy (UUJ) the importance of physical activity and sport and how it influenced them as they grew up, how they developed their talents and the experiences they have had while competing at the highest levels.

 

The Minister said:

“The strategy aims to get more people, more active, more of the time.  That must begin with children having access to more opportunities, exposure to different sports and making sure that they have fun and enjoy a quality experience.”

 

“There is a need to have a focus on not just competitive sport but on our communities, where everyone, regardless of ability or gender has the opportunity to be physically active and potentially competitively successful.”

 

‘Active Living’ was developed through engagement with over 200 groups and was refined following a full public consultation. Using a co-design approach, it has taken over four years of research, sectoral engagement, community engagement and consultation.

 

The Minister concluded:

“I want this strategy to bring about change, to challenge the normal approach by removing barriers to inclusion. I want it to drive participation rates upwards by increasing opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in sport and physical activity.

“Our clear and simple aim for the future of sport and physical activity is to get more people, more active, more of the time.”

 

Click here to view the strategy document.