Question
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many burglaries have been reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last eight quarters; how many burglaries involved breaking into the homes of older people when the occupants were present; and whether the current sentencing guidelines for burglaries are effective. [HL1760]
The following table details the total number of burglaries that have been reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in each of the past eight quarters, including the number and percentage of burglaries where the victim/householder was over 65 years of age.
Total Burglaries (Domestic and Non-Domestic) Total Domestic Burglary Total Domestic Burglary victim/Householder age 65+ % of Domestic Burglaries where Victim/Householder age 65+ % Domestic Burglaries where age of Victim/Householder unknown Jan-Mar 2008 2,993 1,744 235 13.5 5.9 Apr-Jun 2008 2,989 1,690 167 9.9 4.6 Jul-Sep 2008 2,904 1,673 238 14.2 4.2 Oct-Dec 2008 3,296 1,935 305 15.8 3.6 Jan-Mar 2009 3,285 2,053 371 18.1 4.3 Apr-Jun 20091 3,225 1,846 277 15.0 3.8 Jul-Sep 20091 3,149 1,829 255 13.9 4.5 Oct-Dec 20091 3,132 1,781 313 17.6 5.7
Source: Central Statistics Unit, PSNI
1 Figures for the current financial year from 1 April 2009 are provisional and will be subject to change.
The proportion of these which occurred when the victim was present cannot be calculated without incurring disproportionate cost.
The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal delivers guideline judgments on sentencing practice to support sentencers in determining the most appropriate sentence and encourage consistency. Regard may also be given to published sentencing guidelines in England and Wales. The age and vulnerability of the victim is one of a number of aggravating factors which can be taken into account in determining the sentence in individual cases.