HL Deb 05 December 1995 vol 567 cc73-4WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) murders (b) threats leading to expulsion (c) punishment beatings (d) cases of financial extortion (e) acts of arson have been recorded in Northern Ireland since the 1994 cease-fires; whether the figures are better or worse than those for comparable periods before the cease-fires; and what measures they are taking to prevent such crimes.

Baroness Miller of Hendon

In the 14 months since the PIRA ceasefire, there have been 27 murders in Northern Ireland compared with 126 murders in the 14 months prior to the PIRA ceasefire.

Over the same period, there have been 223 casualties of so-called punishment assaults, 75 of which have been attributed to loyalist groups, 148 to republican groups. This compares with 45 casualties as a result of 'punishment' assaults in the 14 months before the PIRA ceasefire, 37 of which were attributed to loyalist groups, 8 to republican groups. However, in addition there were 82 'punishment' shootings attributed to loyalist groups (and 13 between 1 September 1994 and 13 October 1994) and 63 shootings attributed to republican groups.

Over the same period since the PIRA ceasefire, there have been 137 arson attacks on Orange Order property, church and chapel property, GAA property and schools. This compares with 65 similar types of attack in the 14 months before the PIRA ceasefire.

Figures relating to (b) threats leading to expulsion and (d) cases of financial extortion are not held centrally and to obtain them would incur disproportionate cost.

The RUC is actively pursuing all intelligence and evidence available to bring to justice those who are perpetrating these crimes. The public are asked to pass on information to the police either directly or indirectly, or via the Confidential Telephone.

In cases of financial extortion, the police are at hand to advise victims and potential victims on action they should take; it would not, however, be prudent to disclose fully the measures proposed.

The public are advised at national and local level in relation to the measures that can be taken in relation to their protection and safety.