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Security Statistics

Volume 28: debated on Friday 30 July 1982

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asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security statistics for the first half of 1982.

The security statistics for the first six months of 1982, together with details of convictions obtained during the same period are now available, and the information is as follows:

STATISTICS ON SECURITY

Part I— Statistics of Terrorist Activity

Yearly totals for 1971–1981

Six-monthly Total for January-June 1982

Statistics for Terrorist Activity comprise the following:

  • (i) Number of shooting incidents
  • (ii) Number of explosions
  • (iii) Number of bombs and devices neutralized
  • (iv) Weight of explosives in bombs and devices neutralized
  • (v) Number of malicious fires
  • (vi) Number of armed robberies and amount stolen
  • (vii) Number of deaths and injuries of RUC/RUC'R', Army and Civilians.
  • Part II— Statistics of Security Forces' Activity

    Yearly totals for 1971–1981

    Six-monthly Total for January-June 1982

    Statistics for Security Forces' activity comprise the following:

  • (i) Number of houses searched
  • (ii) Number of weapons, pounds of explosives and rounds of ammunition found
  • Statistics on Security Part I

    Yearly Figures

    1971

    1972

    1973

    1974

    1975

    1976

    1977

    1978

    1979

    1980

    1981

    Jan-June 1982

    July-Dec 1982

    Shooting Incidents*1,75610,6285,0183,2061,8031,9081,081755728642815(327)202(98)
    Explosions1,0221,382978685399766366455422280398138
    Bombs Neutralised49347154242823642616917814212013269

    Weight of Explosives (in lbs)†

    In explosions10,97247,46247,47246,43513,75317,5962,8395,34311,1819,0599,6219,327
    Neutralised3,00119,97832,45027,09411,15916,2522,1885,8604,5306,4059,1684,334
    Armed Robberies4371,9311,2151,2311,201813591442434412587279
    Amount Stolen £303,787790,687612,015572,951572,105545,497446,988232,650568,359496,829854,929711,694
    Malicious Fires ‡≑587636248453432269315275536273

    Deaths

    Civilians115322171166216245695051505722
    Army/UDR4812966352029292148162310
    RUC/RUC 'R'1117131511231410149214

    Injuries

    Civilians1,8383,8131,8121,6802,0442,1621,027548557530878226
    Army/UDR3905785484831672641881351537714036
    RUC/RUC 'R'31548529123526330318330216519433242

    * Figures in brackets refer to shots heard only and not included in the total.

    † Estimated weight only.
    ‡ Consolidated figures not available for earlier years.
    ≑ No figures available for April-June 1981.

    Statistics on Security Part II

    Yearly Figures

    1971

    1972

    1973

    1974

    1975

    1976

    1977

    1978

    Houses Searched†17,26236,61774,55671,91430,09234,93920,72415,462
    Finds: Firearms7171,2641,5951,260825837590400
    Finds: Ammunition (RDS)157,944183,410187,399147,20273,60470,30652,09143,512
    Finds: Explosives (LBS)2,74841,48838,41826,12011,56521,7143,8092,108

    Persons charged with serious type offences

    *

    31 July to 31 December

    1972

    1973

    1974

    1975

    1976

    1977

    1978

    Murder13717513812013160
    Attempted Murder1685758812113579
    Firearms Offences242631544460353301225
    Explosives Offences8623616110021514679
    Theft Act111186232314188203151
    Other6320527597279392249
    TOTAL5311,4141,3621,1971,2761,308843

    * These figures are not available in consolidated form for earlier years.

    ‡ Includes occupied and unoccupied houses searched.

    Yearly Figures

    January to June

    July to December

    1979

    1980

    1981

    1982

    1982

    Houses Searched†6,4524,1064,1041,730
    Finds: Firearms301203398203
    Finds: Ammunition46,28028,07847,07017,859
    Finds: Explosives (LBS)1,9961,8107,53688

    Persons charged with terrorist-type offences

    *

    January to June

    July to December

    1979

    1980

    1981

    1982

    1982

    Mulder45634832
    Attempted Murder39597255

  • (iii) Number of people, charged with terrorist-type offences (murder, attempted murder, explosives offences relating to the security situation eg arson, membership of illegal organisations etc).
  • January to June

    July to December

    1979

    1980

    1981

    1982

    1982

    Firearms Offences17711215584
    Explosives Offences40393920
    Theft Act15212815879
    Other210149446125
    TOTAL670550918395

    * These figures are not available in consolidated form for earlier years.

    † Includes occupied and unoccupied houses searched.

    Imprisonment

    January-June 1982

    Offence

    Number convicted

    Non-custodial sentence

    Borstal or Training Centre

    Less than five years

    Five years and less than seven years

    Seven years and less than 10 years

    10 years and less than 15 years

    15 years and less than 20 years

    20 years and over

    Life

    Murder1515
    Attempted murder13111451
    Conspiracy to murder51121
    Manslaughter1113133
    Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm1121512
    Causing grievous bodily harm11
    Assault occasioning grievous bodily harm33
    Causing explosion1112521
    Placing explosive
    Possessing explosives with intent12131133
    Other explosive offences532
    Possessing a firearm with intent292255573
    Possessing a firearm
    Carrying a firearm with intent5113
    Other major firearms offences381831421
    Minor firearms offences844
    Robbery11729242521981
    Aggravated burglary
    Hi-jacking503299
    Arson4133521
    Petrol bomb offences8058157
    Criminal damage5311
    Escape offences22
    Assisting offenders211
    Intimidation66
    Withholding information1091
    Possessing prohibited articles
    Common Law Riot321
    Membership of illegal organisations312
    Unlawful collection of information
    Illegal training
    Kidnapping and false imprisonment211
    Contributing to resources of a proscribed organisation
    Soliciting support for a proscribed organisation
    Malicious damage
    Total488210648141292712816