Research and Statistics bulletin 20-2015: First time entrants to the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland 2013 to 2014

The Department of Justice (DOJ) today published Research and Statistical Bulletin 20/2015 ‘‘First Time Entrants to the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland 2013/14’. It is an Official Statistics Publication.

Statistics published on first time entrants to the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland

The bulletin presents information on first time entrants (or, disposals relating to first offences) to the criminal justice system disaggregated by age, gender, offence category and disposal type for 2013/14.  The key findings were as follows:

Key findings

• There were 11,610 first time entrants (or disposals relating to first offences) to the criminal justice system in 2013/14.  Of these, 10.4% (1,205) were in the 10 – 17 year old age group and 29.0% (3,366) in the 18 – 24 year old age group.
• In 2013/14, a total of 11,610 first offences and 24,975 further offences were recorded as dealt with by conviction or diversion in the justice system in Northern Ireland.  First offences constituted 31.7% of all offences in 2013/14.  Of all first offences, 38.2% (4,431) were dealt with by way of diversionary disposal, compared to 61.8% (7,179) which were dealt with by conviction.
• 29.0% (3,366) of all first offences were committed by those in the 18 – 24 year old age group.  First offences accounted for 31.7% of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to that age group.
• First offences accounted for 38.3% (1,205) of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to the 10 – 17 age group.  
• First offences accounted for 51.5% (3,366) of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to females in 2013/14.  By comparison, first offences accounted for only 27.4% (8,233) of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to males in2013/14.
• 52.1% (6,052) of all first offences in 2013/14 were for Motoring offences.  Of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued for offences in that category in 2013/14, 43.4% were for first offences.
• First offences accounted for 58.3% (4,431) of all instances where a diversionary disposal was issued in 2013/14.  People in the 10 – 17 year old age group were most likely (91.7, 1,105) to receive a diversion for a first offence.  
• Monetary disposals made up 48.6% (5,640) of all disposals for first offences in 2013/14. Of these, first offences accounted for 35.5% of all instances where a monetary penalty was imposed in relation to a conviction or diversion.  However, of all instances where imprisonment was imposed as a penalty in 2013/14, first offences accounted for only 6.9% (262).
• Of first offences dealt with by diversion, 81.2% (3,596) were dealt with by way of caution. However, while 58.5% of all cautions were for first offences, 87.7% (647) of all informed warnings were for first offences.   

Notes to editors: 

1. This bulletin presents information on first time entrants (first offences) to the criminal justice system disaggregated by age, gender, offence category and disposal type for 2013/14.  The data will be used to inform commitments given in the Programme for Government 2011-15.
2. The data used in this bulletin were taken from the Causeway Data Sharing Mechanism (DSM1). They were extracted primarily based on records contained on the Criminal Records Viewer (CRV). The CRV is held on Causeway and utilises data which originated in the PSNI, PPS and from Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service.  Causeway is an interconnected information system, launched as a joint undertaking by the Criminal Justice Organisations (CJOs) in Northern Ireland.
3. Figures for first time entrants to the justice system in Northern Ireland, as reported in this bulletin, are based on those who have had a conviction at any time since 1960 and those who had either a conviction or a diversionary disposal since the implementation of the Causeway system DSM1, in December 2009.  This means that the reported rate of first offences may be slightly higher than the actuality, as, in some cases, first offences would have been dealt with by means of diversionary disposal, information on which is not available prior to the introduction of DSM1.  However, any likely impact should lessen with the passing of time.  Reoffending statistics suggest that, in most crime categories, persons who commit a proven reoffence do so within one year.  As a result, the first year when it might be considered that the effect of diversions data being unavailable for the period prior to 2010 might be reduced, is 2011/12 and data in this series have been provided from that point forward.  Data for the 2014/15 year will be published in summer 2016.
4. 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.  
5. The bulletin is available at the publications section or alternatively by contacting Analytical Services Group, Laganside House, Oxford Street, Belfast BT1 3LA
6. Email: statistics.research@dojni.x.gsi.gov.uk
7. Press queries about this publication should be directed to the DOJ Press Office on telephone number 028 9052 6444.

Share this page