Department of Justice (DoJ) today published Research and Statistical Bulletin 11/2018 ‘Perceptions of Organised Crime: Findings from the October 2017 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey’. This is an Official Statistics Publication.
These findings provide baseline information in relation to perceptions of Organised Crime in Northern Ireland.
Key Findings
Organised Crime and Paramilitarism
- A quarter of respondents (25.4%) stated that they felt that organised crime was very widespread throughout Northern Ireland, 22.8% felt that it was widespread and 43.3% stated that it was fairly widespread. Of the remaining respondents, 7.7% thought it was not widespread and 0.8% stated that organised crime does not occur in Northern Ireland.
- 93.6% of respondents stated that drug dealing was one of the main types of crimes they associated with organised crime in Northern Ireland.
- Overall, 56.5% strongly agreed and 34.6% agreed that the proceeds of any one form of organised crime may ultimately contribute towards other forms of organised crime.
- Of all respondents asked, 86.5% stated that ‘Yes’ they believed there was a link between organised crime and ongoing paramilitary activity.
- 88.4% stated ‘Violence’ was a type of harm associated with organised crime.
- When respondents were asked their perceptions of the impact of organised crime, personally and within the community, 54.8% stated ‘fear in the community’.
- 97.4% of respondents stated that the ‘PSNI’ had a role in tackling organised crime. When asked about the role that the public can play in tackling organised crime, 78.2% stated that they can ‘report to the police’, 57.7% stated ‘contact Crimestoppers’ and 52.3% stated that they could ‘refuse to purchase counterfeit or illicit goods or services’.
- 57.0% stated ‘fear’ prevented people from reporting an incident or suspected incident.
The bulletin will be available in PDF format from either the DOJ web-site (https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/omnibus-surveys) or Analytical Services Group, Department of Justice,1st Floor, Laganside House, 23-27 Oxford Street, Belfast, BT1 3LA (Telephone: 028 90724538; Email: statistics.research@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk).