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Reported crime in Northern Ireland has fallen to its lowest level since the Good Friday agreement was signed, according to the latest PSNI figures.
A total of 93,577 crimes were recorded in the 12 months to December 31, 2025, a fall of 3.8 per cent and the lowest annual total since the current data statistics started in April 1998.
According to the latest figures, the crime rate has dropped to 49 offences per 1,000 population, down from 50 in the previous 12 months.
However, the overall decline comes against a backdrop of increases in several serious crime categories.
Sexual offences rose 4.4 per cent to 4,360 incidents, a rise of 182 cases year-on-year.
Stalking and harassment offences also increased with 61 additional cases recorded bringing the total to 9,706.
Robbery increased by 10 per cent, with an additional 44 offences recorded, while possession of weapons offences rose 6.4 per cent, adding 78 cases.
The total number of homicides fell from 20 to 15 year-on-year.
Seven of the 15 were recorded to have a domestic abuse motivation.
The data also reveals an increase in knife involvement in homicides with six of the 15 murders recorded between January and December 2025 involving knives or sharp instruments.
This represents 40 percent of all homicides and the highest in recent years.
Burglary recorded its lowest level on record, falling 13 per cent to 2,618 incidents, while criminal damage dropped 6.2 per cent to its second-lowest quarterly level since data collection began.
Violence with injury decreased by 5.7 per cent, with 885 fewer offences, while violence without injury fell 4.9 per cent.
Theft offences excluding burglary declined by 5.9 per cent, driven primarily by a fall in shoplifting.
Drug offences decreased by 2 per cent, with 163 fewer detections.
Belfast City recorded the highest volume of crime with 31,159 offences, accounting for one-third of all crime in Northern Ireland, although this represented a decrease of 3.9 percent on the previous year.
Derry City and Strabane saw the steepest percentage decline at 8 per cent, with 813 fewer offences recorded, followed by Lisburn and Castlereagh City which fell 7.6 per cent.
Ards and North Down was the only district to see crime rise, with 84 additional offences bringing the total to 5,633.
Support is available for anyone affected by crime. The 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 1414. Rape Crisis NI provides support on 0800 0246 991. Victim Support NI can be reached on 028 9024 3133.
