NCJ Number
146463
Date Published
1993
Length
90 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes data on notifiable offenses recorded by police in Northern Ireland in 1992.
Abstract
There was an increase of 6 percent in recorded crime compared to 1991; theft remained the single largest offense category, accounting for 51 percent of all recorded crime. Over the past decade, sex offenses increased by nearly 250 percent, while other violent personal crimes rose by 150 percent. Fraud and forgery rates have nearly doubled and the incidence of theft has increased by more than 20 percent. The aggregate crime rate in Northern Ireland is lower than in England, Wales, and the U.S., but violent crimes rank higher than in England and Wales. In 1992, police cleared 34 percent of all recorded crimes, a decrease of 2 percent since 1991. Sex offenses, offenses against the State, and violent offenses had the highest clearance rates. In 1992, the number of defendants proceeded against in magistrates' courts rose slightly over the previous year, while the number processed in Crown Court was the lowest in a decade; large majorities of defendants pleaded guilty. In Crown Court, the most common disposal used was immediate custody, while in magistrates' court it was a fine. While the average daily prison population rose slightly in 1992 over the previous year, it has fallen 28 percent since 1983. 36 tables, 43 figures, and 3 appendixes