Northern Ireland Terrorism Legislation Annual Security Statistics: 2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-25)

The report details the use in Northern Ireland of powers contained within the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 in the 2024 calendar year.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) today published the Statistical Bulletin ‘Northern Ireland Terrorism Legislation: Annual Statistics 2024’. This is an Official Statistics publication.

The report details the use in Northern Ireland of powers contained within the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 in the 2024 calendar year.

Key Findings

The powers of stop and search under section 47A (Searches in specified areas or places) of the Terrorism Act 2000 were not exercised in Northern Ireland in 2024.

There were 60 premises searched under warrant by the Police Service of Northern Ireland under Schedule 5 (Terrorist investigations: information) to the Terrorism Act 2000.

As in previous years, there was limited use of powers provided under the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008. There were three people made subject to notification requirements under section 47 (Initial notification) of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

There were 68 persons detained under section 41 (Arrest without warrant) of the Terrorism Act 2000 and no applications for an extension of detention.

All 68 persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were held for 48 hours or less. Ten persons were charged and 58 persons were released.

The 10 persons were charged with a total of 28 offences, including seven charges for firearms offences, six for explosives offences and five for preparation of terrorist acts.

As of 22 May 2025, all 10 persons charged after being detained in Northern Ireland under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were still awaiting prosecution.

Five persons detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were charged with a total of six offences under the Terrorism Act 2000. Three of these charges were related to membership, one related to directing terrorist organisation, one was for possession for terrorist purposes and one for collection of information. Five people were detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and were each charged with an offence under the Terrorism Act 2006; these related to preparation of terrorist acts.

In 2024, there was a total of 23 persons disposed of by a non-jury trial, 20 of whom were found guilty of at least one charge. A total of 17 non-jury trial certificates were issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

There were 35 Preliminary Inquiries, all of which were committed to the Crown Court.

During 2024, there was a total of 13 persons convicted of an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006 or the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

There were 121 examinations carried out by police officers under Schedule 7 (Port and Border Controls) to the Terrorism Act 2000, of which 115 were examinations of persons and six were of unaccompanied freight; 61 resulted in a detention.

Compensation payments made under Schedule 4 (Compensation) to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 totalled £2,066, of which £171 were loss adjusters’ fees.

Notes for Editors

This is an annual publication reporting on key Northern Ireland specific terrorism legislation statistics. Figures are mainly drawn from administrative and operational data sources.

Official Statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and are produced free from any political interference. They are also subject to restrictions in terms of pre-release access.