PSNI has only recorded these statistics since 2005. In 2005-06 there were 700 recorded violent crimes with a sectarian motivation compared to 542 in 2006-07.
This is a marked and welcome reduction in what are mindless and despicable crimes which have no place in today's Northern Ireland society. There is a level of co-operation developing across Northern Ireland by the public with the police, which is dramatically different from what we've seen in the past.