Northern Ireland

Almost double the number of Catholics than Protestants arrested and charged by PSNI

Close to double the number of Catholics than Protestants were arrested and charged over a five-year-period in Northern Ireland
Close to double the number of Catholics than Protestants were arrested and charged over a five-year-period in Northern Ireland Close to double the number of Catholics than Protestants were arrested and charged over a five-year-period in Northern Ireland

CLOSE to double the number of Catholics than Protestants were arrested and charged over a five-year-period in Northern Ireland, according to PSNI statistics.

According to the Detail, from the start of 2016 until the end of 2020, over 57,000 Catholics were recorded as being arrested with almost 27,000 charged.

By contrast, nearly 31,000 Protestants were recorded as being arrested with under 15,000 charged.

Daniel Holder, the deputy director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), told The Detail these figures show a `stark disparity on the basis of community background which cries out for explanation and remedy`.

In the summer, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson informed PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne of what he perceived as legitimate and widespread concerns about two-tier policing negatively impacting the unionist community.

However, Mr Holder said: "We are always conscious that when allegations of bias or ‘two-tier’ policing arise there have long been equality monitoring tools that can test the substance of such claims, including statistics on the use of police powers."

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request from the Detail seeking documentation outlining why the force doesn't record the community background of people subjected to stop and search was rejected on cost grounds.

PSNI Acting Assistant Chief Constable Sam Donaldson said his force remains committed to being inclusive, unbiased, lawful and proportionate.

"The arrest and questioning of any person must be legitimate and lawful, and police officers are tasked with following the evidence without fear or favour, and in accordance with the law.

"Police officers are expected to discharge their duties professionally and with the utmost integrity.

"Where it is perceived that conduct falls short of these high standards, it is right that officers should face an impartial, thorough investigation by the Police Ombudsman's office."