Northern Ireland: Increase in use of force by PSNI ‘deeply disturbing’

Increased use of plastic bullets, firing of Tasers and use of spit hoods - including on children aged under-13

8% of use of batons and 5% of use of police dogs on Irish Travellers, despite making up just 0.14% of the population

'The rapidly increasing use of spit hoods, including on children under the age of 13 and despite clear guidance that they should not be used on children, is deeply disturbing.' - Patrick Corrigan

A 21% increase in the use of force by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the last year, compared to the number reported during 2022/23 is “concerning” according to Amnesty International.

A new statistical report published by the PSNI today shows there were 21,508 uses of force in the year ending 31 March 2024, compared to 17,742 in the previous year.

Among the report findings:

·         23% increase in use of plastic bullets / attenuating energy projectiles (AEP), from 71 to 87

·         125% increase in discharge of plastic bullets / attenuating energy projectiles (AEP), from 4 to 9

·         40% increase in firing of Tasers, from 15 to 21, though a 20% fall in overall usage (draw and fire)

·         41% increase in use of spit hoods, from 133 to 188, including use on children

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Director of Amnesty International UK, said:

“There is much to be concerned about in this latest report on use of force by the PSNI.

“The use of plastic bullets by the PSNI is at its highest rate of any time in the last decade, despite everything we know about their potentially lethal impact.

“The rapidly increasing use of spit hoods, including on children under the age of 13 and despite clear guidance that they should not be used on children, is deeply disturbing.

“Shockingly 6% of incidents or use of force were used on people from minoritised communities despite them making up just 3.4% of the population.

“The figures are even more stark on the use of force on Irish Travellers, with 8% of use of batons and 5% of use of police dogs on Irish Travellers, despite them making up just 0.14% of the population.

“No information has been given regarding community background of those on whom force has been used.

“We will be raising our concerns with the Northern Ireland Policing Board.”