Bombing incidents and shootings increase in Northern Ireland
There were seven bombing incidents between July 2022 and June 2023, compared to four during the previous 12 months, according to figures.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A rise in bombing incidents and shootings have been recorded in Northern Ireland.
There were seven bombing incidents recorded in the last year compared to four during the previous 12 months, according to the latest police statistics.
Three of these happened in the Derry City and Strabane council area, while two happened in Ards and North Down and there was one in both Belfast and Mid Ulster.
There was also a rise in the number of shooting incidents, up to 32 from 26.
Most of these took place in Belfast (10) but the number in Ards and North Down – where there is an ongoing feud between drugs gangs with loyalist paramilitary links – has increased to eight from two in the previous year.
The 2022-23 figures compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) from police records covering July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 show there was one death described as security-related in the last 12 months, the same number as the previous year.
It relates to the murder of Sean Fox who was shot in front of more than 100 people inside a west Belfast social club in October 2022.
Meanwhile, there were 28 victims of paramilitary-style assaults, a drop from 36 in the previous 12 months. Of those, most (11) took place in Belfast and five were in Ards and North Down.
There were 11 victims of paramilitary-style shootings, the same number as during the previous 12 months.
There were 114 security-related arrests under the Terrorism Act, down from 126 in the previous 12 months.
Of those, 20 were subsequently charged, compared to 17 during the previous 12 months.