FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Request Number:
F0I-2013-00300
Keyword:
Crime
Subject:
Statistics on Arrests Connected to the Flag Protest
Request and Answer:
Question 1
I would like full statistics of the number of persons who have been arrested in connection with rioting
since November 27th when the Belfast City council voted to change their policy on flying the Union
Flag.
Answer
For the purpose of this request the figures provided are up to the 20 2 2013. There have been 195
arrested and 164 charged. A further 26 people although not arrested have been spoken to by Police
Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). Fifty juveniles (under 18) have been spoken to by police. Forty-six
of these have been arrested and 4 not arrested. Of the 50 juveniles, 31 have been charged, 10
reported to the Public Prosecution Office, 2 discretionary disposal and 7 remain on police bail.
Question 2
These statistics should include arrest, arrest date, whether the arrest was prosecuted, and whether
the prosecution was successful.
Answer
The arrest dates are as follows:
03/12/2012
04/12/2012
05/12/2012
06/12/2012
07/12/2012
08/12/2012
09/12/2012
10/12/2012
11/12/2012
12/12/2012
13/12/2012
15/12/2012
16/12/2012
17/12/2012
18/12/2012
20/12/2012
21/12/2012
29/12/2012
03/01/2013
04/01/2013
05/01/2013
06/01/2013
07/01/2013
08/01/2013
09/01/2013
10/01/2013
11/01/2013
12/01/2013
13/01/2013
14/01/2013
16/01/2013
18/01/2013
19/01/2013
20/01/2013
21/01/2013
25/01/2013
26/01/2013
28/01/2013
29/01/2013
30/01/2013
01/02/2013
02/02/2013
04/02/2013
05/02/2013
07/02/2013
08/02/2013
11/02/2013
13/02/2013
14/02/2013
15/02/2013
16/02/2013
19/02/2013
The Criminal Justice process is ongoing and once investigated, cases are forwarded to the Public
Prosecution Service for direction and through the court system.
If you have any queries regarding your request or the decision please do not hesitate to contact me
on 028 9070 0164. When contacting the Freedom of Information Team, please quote the reference
number listed at the beginning of this letter.
If you are dissatisfied in any way with the handling of your request, you have the right to request a
review. You should do this as soon as possible, or in any case within two months of the date of issue
of this letter. In the event that you require a review to be undertaken, you can do so by writing to the
Head of Freedom of Information, PSNI Headquarters, 65 Knock Road, Belfast, BT5 6LE or by
emailing xxx@xxxx.xxx.xxxxxx.xx.
If following an internal review, carried out by an independent decision maker, you were to remain
dissatisfied in any way with the handling of the request you may make a complaint, under Section 50
of the Freedom of Information Act, to the Information Commissioner’s Office and ask that they
investigate whether the PSNI has complied with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act. You
can write to the Information Commissioner at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House,
Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. In most circumstances the Information Commissioner
will not investigate a complaint unless an internal review procedure has been carried out, however
the Commissioner has the option to investigate the matter at his discretion.
Please be advised that PSNI replies under Freedom of Information may be released into the public
domain via our website @ www.psni.police.uk
Personal details in respect of your request have, where applicable, been removed to protect
confidentiality.