FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Request Number:
F-2010-00416
Keyword:
Crime
Subject:
Crimes Committed by Females
Request and Answer:
This is to inform you that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has now completed its search for the
information you requested. The decision has been taken to disclose the located information to you in
full.
Question
Please release the number of females a) arrested and b) charged in each year since 2005 for the
following crimes:
- murder
- attempted murder
- manslaughter
- rape
- domestic violence
- any other sexual offences
- any other violent offences
Clarification:
If the PSNI do not use Domestic Violence as a category for crime, then could it be highlighted in the
other categories how many were domestically motivated and to include: any other incident
Answer
In 2005 the recording systems and techniques used, captured statistics in a different format from
those employed by PSNI today. Records did not identify incidents which were domestically
motivated, therefore this information was not recorded in 2005.
Accordingly, in relation to domestic violence, I have determined that the Police Service of Northern
Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.
Please see the table below providing details of females arrested and charged in 2005.
In relation to statistics for 2006 – 2010, PSNI cannot determine arrests for 'domestic violence' but
such offences should be captured in the statistics provided. The PSNI recording system is unable to
produce charges only.
Please see the table below providing details of females arrested and charged/reported for
prosecution for calendar year 2006 - 2009.
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 [email address].
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.
