This is an annual publication reporting on key Northern Ireland specific terrorism legislation statistics. Figures are mainly drawn from administrative and operational data sources. There have been no changes to the method or classification of the statistics since the last publication.

STATISTICAL PRESS NOTICE

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) today published Statistical Bulletin ‘Northern Ireland Terrorism Legislation: Annual Statistics 2020/21’. This is an Official Statistics publication.

The report details the use in Northern Ireland of powers contained within the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 in the financial year 2020/21.

Key Findings

Key statistics during 2020/21:

• The powers of stop and search under section 47A of the Terrorism Act 2000 were not exercised in Northern Ireland in 2020/21.

• There were 137 premises searched under warrant by the Police Service of Northern Ireland under Schedule 5 to the Terrorism Act 2000.

• As in previous years, there was limited use of powers provided under the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 during 2020/21. There were ten persons made subject to notification requirements under section 47 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

• There were 105 persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and 15 applications for an extension of detention, all of which were granted.

• Of the 105 persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, 90 (86%) were held for 48 hours or less. Twenty persons were charged and 85 persons were released.

• Twenty persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were charged with a total of 60 offences, including 18 charges of preparation of terrorist acts, nine for directing a terrorist organisation, nine for membership and seven charges of explosive offences.

• As of 25 June 2021, all of the 20 persons charged after being detained in Northern Ireland under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were still awaiting prosecution.

• Twelve persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were charged with a total of 21 offences under the Terrorism Act 2000. Nine of these charges related to membership, nine related to directing a terrorist organisation, two related to possession for terrorist purposes while the remaining charge related to uniform and publication of images. Eleven persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were charged with a total of 18 offences under the Terrorism Act 2006; all 18 related to preparation of terrorist acts.

• In 2020, there was a total of 18 persons disposed of by a non-jury trial, all of whom were found guilty of at least one charge. A total of 11 non-jury trial certificates was issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in 2020.

• There were nine Preliminary Inquiries under section 3 of the Justice and Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2007, all of which were committed to the Crown Court.

• During 2020/21, there was a total of 14 persons convicted of an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006 or the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

• There were 93 examinations carried out by police officers under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in 2020/21. Fifty-six were examinations of persons, seven of which resulted in a detention.

• There were 20 designated cordons under section 33 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

• There were no compensation (solicitors’ and loss assessors’ fees) or agency (loss adjusters’ fees) payments made under Schedule 4 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

Notes for Editors

This is an annual publication reporting on key Northern Ireland specific terrorism legislation statistics. Figures are mainly drawn from administrative and operational data sources.

Official Statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and are produced free from any political interference. They are also subject to restrictions in terms of pre-release access.

The bulletin is available in PDF format from the NIO web-site (www.gov.uk/nio).

Press queries about this publication should be directed to the NIO Press Office on telephone number 02890 527856.