Published date:
Responding to the publication of PSNI Statistics Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna said
“We must always remember that there are people behind these numbers.
“The victims of these crimes are people with needs and rights that must be addressed from the moment they first contact the police throughout their criminal justice journey.
“Overall the fact that these figures show the highest crime level in sixteen years is worrying and shows that there is obviously an increased need to support the victims of those crimes.
“The upward trend in sexual offences since October 2013 also shows the continued need for specialist support for victims of those horrific crimes.
“It is depressing to see such a high level of domestic violence incidents and crime reported. The fact that there were almost one hundred more racially motivated hate incidents in 2023 than in 2022 should also be a real cause for concern.
“Dealing with these crimes, and supporting the victims of these crimes, cannot simply be the responsibility of the police.
“Instead we need a cross-cutting response to create a society where everyone feels safe and free.”