perceptions of paramilitarism in northern...

Analytical Services Group

Perceptions of Paramilitarism in

Northern Ireland:

Findings from the 2017

Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019

L Duncan

S Browne

Date of publication 13 March 2019

Feedback on this publication can be provided directly to Analytical Services Group at the

email address listed above.

Produced by Analytical Services Group,

Department of Justice

For further information write to:

Analytical Services Group, Financial Service Division,

Department of Justice, Level 3, Block B, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SG

Telephone: 028 90520190

Email: [email protected]

This bulletin is available on:

www.justice-ni.gov.uk

http://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019 | i

Summary of Findings

Area

Overall 41.5% of respondents were found to live in ‘mixed’ religion areas across

Northern Ireland and 52.1% of respondents described their area as being neither

Loyalist nor Republican. An overwhelming majority of respondents (96.4%) felt very

or fairly safe living within their area.

Sense of Community

Almost two thirds of respondents (65.7%) strongly agreed or agreed that there is a

strong sense of community within their area and 90.7% felt that they had some

sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. However, almost three in four

respondents did not feel that they had any influence upon the local decisions made

about their area (73.5%).

Crime and Safety

Almost three fifths of respondents (56.7%) felt that people within their area were

confident in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to the Police Service of

Northern Ireland (PSNI). A similar proportion (56.9%) strongly agreed or agreed that

PSNI keeps their area safe. Respondents aged 65 and over had the highest levels of

confidence in PSNI, alongside those who identified as Protestants and those who

were educated to tertiary level. Those residing in Belfast felt least confident in

reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI and were least likely to agree that

PSNI keeps their area safe.

Levels of Crime

Of those who responded, 48.7% stated that they agreed and 15.5% strongly agreed

that there were low levels of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour within their area,

13.4% stated that they neither agreed nor disagreed, 15.5% stated that they

disagreed and 6.8% strongly disagreed.

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019 | ii

The Law and Justice System

Overall 82.9% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that people within their area

generally abide by the law. However, a smaller proportion of respondents felt that

they were protected by the law and justice system (62.9%). More respondents who

were Protestant, aged 65 and over, married or in a civil partnership or educated to

tertiary level agreed with both of the above statements.

Paramilitary Influence

A small proportion of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups

‘create fear and intimidation’ within their area (15.4%), have a controlling influence

(14.2%), or help keep their area safe (5.4%). Just over one-fifth strongly agreed or

agreed that paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social

behaviour within their area (22.0%). Across all questions, a greater proportion of

respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups have

some form of influence within their area.

Young People and Crime

Almost two thirds of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that there is a lot of

crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people within their area

(65.1%) and that young people are influenced too much by paramilitary groups within

their area (65.5%). More respondents living in Belfast agreed or strongly agreed that

there were high levels of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young

people and that young people are influenced too much by paramilitary groups within

their area.

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019 | iii

Contents Page Summary of Findings i 1. Introduction 1 1.1 The focus of this publication 1 1.2 About the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 1 2. Findings 3 2.1 Area 3 2.2 Sense of Community 6 2.3 Crime and Safety 10 2.4 The Law and Justice System 13 2.5 Levels of Crime 16 2.6 Paramilitary Influence 17 2.7 Young People and Crime 23 3. References / Links 26 4. Tabular Annex 27 5. Technical Annex 44

Sampling and fieldwork 44 Weighting 45 Rounding, Error and Statistical Significance 46

Figures Page Figure 1 Religious Identity within their Area 3 Figure 2 Political Identity within their Area 4 Figure 3 Safety within their Area 4 Figure 4 Strong Sense of Community within their Area 6 Figure 5 Sense of Belonging to their Neighbourhood 8 Figure 6 Influence upon Local Decisions 9 Figure 7 Confidence in Reporting Crime to PSNI 10 Figure 8 PSNI keeps their Area Safe 11 Figure 9 People in their Area Abide by the Law 13 Figure 10 Protected by the Law and Justice System 14 Figure 11 Low Levels of Crime in their Area 16 Figure 12 Paramilitary Groups have a Controlling Influence 17 Figure 13 Paramilitary Groups Help Keep their Area Safe 18 Figure 14 Paramilitary Groups Create Fear and Intimidation 20 Figure 15 Paramilitary Groups Contribute to Crime 21 Figure 16 Young People Contribute to Crime 23 Figure 17 Young People Influences by Paramilitary Groups 24

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019 | iv

Tabular Annex Page

A1 Would you describe your area as…? (Religious Identity) 27 A2 Would you describe your area as…? (Political Identity) 28 A3 How safe do you feel living in this area? 29 A4 People in this area feel confident in reporting crime and anti-social 30

behaviour to PSNI? A5 PSNI keeps this area safe? 31 A6 People in this area generally abide by the law? 32 A7 People in this area feel that they are protected by the law and justice 33

system? A8 There are low levels of crime, drugs & anti-social behaviour in this area? 34 A9 There is a strong sense of community in this area? 35 A10 Paramilitary groups have a controlling influence in this area? 36 A11 Paramilitary groups help keep this area safe? 37 A12 Paramilitary groups create fear and intimidation in this area? 38 A13 Paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing & anti-social 39

behaviour in this area? A14 Young people contribute to crime, drug-dealing & anti-social behaviour 40

in this area? A15 Young people are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups 41

in this area? A16 Thinking about this immediate neighbourhood, the kind of place it is and 42

the kind of people who live around here, would you say that you feel a sense of belonging to this neighbourhood?

A17 Do you feel that you have any influence when it comes to any of the 43 local decisions made around here?

Tables in Technical Annex Page

B1 Representativeness of the Sample NILTS 2017 44 B2 Sample Profile for the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2017 45 B3 Weighting of the Sample 46

Research and Statistical Bulletin 8/2019 | 1

1. Introduction

1.1 The focus of this publication

The Executive action plan for tackling paramilitary activity, criminality and organised

crime was published in July 2016. The action plan is a series of 38 commitments on

the part of the Executive, aimed at addressing paramilitary activity, and has four

long-term outcomes:

Paramilitarism has no place in society

Safe and confident communities

Increased confidence in the justice system

Support is available for those who wish to transition

The Tackling Paramilitarism Programme Board was set up to oversee progress in

delivery of the action plan. The Board agreed a set of indicators to assess progress

in the achievement of the four outcomes; these indicators cover prevalence,

community coercion and community capacity. The Board also wanted to ensure

public perceptions were included within its progress measures. As there was no

existing survey measure, new questions were commissioned as part of the 2017

Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILTS) to provide data on the public’s

perceptions of and attitudes towards paramilitary influence and activity in Northern

Ireland. This first publication presents key findings from this survey and will act as a

baseline for comparison. It is anticipated that the survey questions will be repeated

over the next three years to monitor any changes in attitudes and perceptions as

work on the delivery of the action plan progresses.

1.2 About the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

The NILTS was launched in October 1998 as a resource for everyone interested in

the social attitudes of people living in Northern Ireland. Set up by Queen's University

Belfast and Ulster University and run every year, the survey aims to put on record

the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people in Northern Ireland on a wide range of

social policy issues.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/

http://www.qub.ac.uk/

http://www.ulster.ac.uk/


The survey is designed to provide a snapshot of the behaviour, lifestyle and views of

a representative sample of people in Northern Ireland. Further information on sample

selection can be found in the Technical Annex section.

The survey comprises of two distinct parts: core questions about the respondents

and their individual circumstances; and a variety of mainly attitudinal questions

commissioned by clients. This allows, where appropriate, for responses to the survey

to be broken down by a variety of key demographic characteristics.

The survey receives ethnical approval from the School Ethics Committee of the

School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw


2. Findings

The following section provides key findings from the Department of Justice’s

‘Perceptions of Paramilitarism’ section of the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

(NILTS). Respondents were asked a series of questions about the area in which

they lived, ranging from feeling a sense of community, feelings of safety, the

influence of paramilitaries and youth crime. Information in relation to the overall

responses to each question is provided within the text. In addition, responses to

questions have been broken down by key demographic variables. These include:

age, gender, religion, employment status, marital status, level of qualifications,

disability, urban/rural status and political identity. Note that all demographic

information is based on information that has been provided by respondents, area

and personal categories are therefore self-classed. Where significant differences

have been found within demographic groups, these are reported in the tables, and

some commentary reported in the text. Also note that for presentation some

percentages have been rounded in both tables and text, please reference the

technical annex (page 46) for guidance.

2.1 Area

Respondents were asked to describe the religious identity associated with their area.

Of the 1,203 people who responded, 41.5% stated that their area was ‘mixed’, 28.9%

stated that it was ‘mainly Protestant’, 24.4% stated that it was ‘mainly Catholic’ and

5.3% stated that they couldn’t choose (Figure 1, Table A1).

Figure 1: Religious Identity within their Area

24.4% 28.9%

41.5%

5.3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Mainly Catholic Mainly Protestant Mixed Can't Choose


Respondents were also asked to describe the political identity of their area. Of 1,203

respondents, 22.5% stated their area was ‘mainly Loyalist’ and 13.9% stated ‘mainly

Republican’. However, the majority of respondents (52.1%) stated their area was

‘neither of these’, whilst 11.5% stated they couldn’t choose (Figure 2, Table A2).

Figure 2: Political Identity within their Area

Respondents were subsequently asked how safe they felt living in their area. Of

1,199 respondents, 73.9% stated they felt ‘very safe’, 22.5% felt ‘fairly safe’ and

2.9% felt ‘neither safe nor unsafe’. Of those remaining, 0.6% felt ‘fairly unsafe’ and

0.2% felt ‘very unsafe’ living in their area (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Safety within their Area

13.9%

22.5%

52.1%

11.5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Mainly Republican Mainly Loyalist Neither of These Can't Choose

73.9%

22.5%

2.9% 0.6% 0.2%

Very Safe

Fairly Safe

Neither Safe nor Unsafe

Fairly Unsafe

Very Unsafe


Interactions (Table A3)

A greater proportion of respondents aged 55-64 (98.1%) and 65 and over

(98.4%) stated that they felt very or fairly safe living within their area compared

with respondents aged 18-34 (92.8%).

More respondents who stated they were married or in a civil partnership (98.6%)

felt very or fairly safe living in their area compared with respondents who were

single (92.5%).

More respondents educated to tertiary level stated that they felt very or fairly safe

living in their area (98.3%) compared with those educated to primary level

(95.8%).

More respondents living in rural areas stated that they feel very or fairly safe

living in their area (98.6%) compared with those residing in urban areas excluding

Belfast (95.5%), all urban areas (95.2%) and Belfast (94.5%).

More respondents living in areas that were neither Loyalist nor Republican stated

that they felt very or fairly safe living in their area (97.7%) compared with those

residing in mainly Republican areas (92.7%).

Area Summary

Overall, two fifths of respondents were found to live in ‘mixed’ religion areas across

Northern Ireland (41.5%) and 52.1% of respondents also described their area as

being neither Loyalist nor Republican. An overwhelming majority of respondents

(96.4%) felt very or fairly safe living within their area, particularly those who were

aged 55 and over, married or in a civil partnership, educated to tertiary level or those

who reside within rural areas.


2.2 Sense of Community

Respondents were asked if they felt there was a strong sense of community within

their area. Of the 1,163 people who responded, 44.8% stated that they agreed and

20.9% strongly agreed that there was a strong sense of community. An additional

20.6% neither agreed nor disagreed, whilst 10.7% disagreed and 2.9% strongly

disagreed that there was a strong sense of community within their area (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Strong Sense of Community within their Area


More respondents aged 65 and over strongly agreed or agreed that there was a

strong sense of community in their area (74.5%) compared with those aged 18-

34 (55.3%), 35-44 (63.4%) and 45-54 (64.1%). Of all age categories, 18-34

presented the lowest level of agreement with this statement. This was

predominately the result of fewer young males (47.8%) who felt that there was a

strong sense of community in their area compared with young females (63.3%).

More female respondents strongly agreed or agreed that there was a strong

sense of community in their area (69.0%) compared with male respondents

(61.8%).

20.9%

44.8%

20.6%

10.7%

2.9%

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree


A lower proportion of respondents identifying as having no religion believe there

was a strong sense of community in their area (50.5%) compared with Catholics

(70.5%) and Protestants (69.4%).

More respondents not in paid employment felt that there was a strong sense of

community in their area (71.3%) compared with those in paid employment

(60.7%).

A lower proportion of respondents who reported to be single strongly agreed or

agreed that that there was a strong sense of community in their area (57.5%)

compared with those who reported to be married or in a civil partnership (70.0%)

or widowed (71.6%).

More of those educated to primary level strongly agreed or agreed that that there

was a strong sense of community in their area (77.4%) compared with those

educated to secondary level (61.4%) and tertiary level (64.5%).

More respondents residing in rural areas strongly agreed or agreed that there

was a strong sense of community within their area (72.4%) compared with those

residing in urban areas excluding Belfast (63.6%), all urban areas (61.8%) and in

Belfast (57.5%).

A greater proportion of respondents living in mainly Republican areas strongly

agreed or agreed that there is a strong sense of community in their area (78.8%)

compared with those residing in mainly Loyalist areas (60.5%) and areas that

were neither of these (67.5%).

Respondents were then asked to think about their immediate neighbourhood, the

kind of place it is and the kind of people who live around the area, and state if they

felt a sense of belonging to this neighbourhood. Of the 1,185 respondents, 62.8%

stated ‘yes, definitely’, 27.9% stated ‘yes, probably’, 6.7% stated ‘probably not’ and

2.6% stated ‘definitely not’ (Figure 5).


Figure 5: Sense of Belonging to their Neighbourhood


A lower proportion of respondents aged 18-34 felt some sense of belonging to

their neighbourhood (82.6%) compared with those aged 35-44 (90.8%), 45-54

(90.4%), 55-64 (93.0%) and aged 65 and over (96.7%).

A greater proportion of female respondents (92.5%) agreed that they felt a sense

of belonging to their neighbourhood compared with 88.7% of males.

A lower proportion of respondents of ‘no religion’ agreed that they felt a sense of

belonging to their neighbourhood (80.9%) compared with ‘Protestant’ (93.6%)

and ‘Catholic’ (92.9%) respondents.

A lower proportion of respondents who were single (84.2%) agreed that they felt

a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood compared with those who were

married or in a civil partnership (93.6%) or widowed (95.9%).

More respondents living in rural areas felt a sense of belonging to their

neighbourhood (93.8%) compared with those residing in urban areas excluding

Belfast (89.7%), all urban areas (88.9%) and Belfast (87.6%).

Respondents were asked if they felt they had any influence when it came to any of

the local decisions made around their area. Of the 1,171 people who responded,

43.7% stated ‘definitely not’, 29.8% stated ‘probably not’, 17.9% stated ‘yes,

probably’ and 8.5% stated ‘yes, definitely’ (Figure 6).

62.8%

27.9%

6.7% 2.6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes, definitely Yes, probably Probably not Definitely not


Figure 6: Influence upon Local Decisions


More respondents who were single (79.2%) or separated/divorced (79.1%)

disagreed that they felt they have an influence when it comes to local decisions

made within their area compared with respondents who were married or in a civil

partnership (69.2%).

More of those educated to primary level (81.3%) disagreed that they have any

influence upon local decisions within their area compared with those educated to

secondary level (73.6%) and tertiary level (65.5%).

More respondents residing in rural areas agreed that they felt they have an

influence upon local decisions within their area (34.7%) compared with those

residing in urban areas excluding Belfast (22.9%), all urban areas (22.1%) and

Belfast (20.3%).

Sense of Community Summary

Almost two thirds of respondents (65.7%) strongly agreed or agreed that there was a

strong sense of community within their area, whilst the majority felt that they had

some sense of belonging to their neighbourhood (90.7%). However, almost three in

four respondents did not feel that they had any influence upon the local decisions

made around their area (73.5%), particularly those who were single, educated to

primary level or living across urban communities.

8.5%

17.9%

29.8%

43.7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes, definitely Yes, probably Probably not Definitely not


2.3 Crime and Safety (PSNI)

Respondents were asked if people in their area felt confident reporting crime and

anti-social behaviour to PSNI. Of the 1,069 respondents, 35.9% agreed with this

statement whilst 20.8% strongly agreed. Of those remaining, 17.3% neither agreed

nor disagreed, 17.8% disagreed and 8.1% strongly disagreed that people feel

confident in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Confidence in Reporting Crime to PSNI


A lower proportion of respondents within the 18-34 age band felt that people in

their area are confident reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI

(44.2%) compared with those aged 35-44 (57.1%), 55-64 (66.5%) and 65 and

over (62.7%). No differences were found between 18-34 year olds and 45-54

year olds (54.5%).

More Catholics reported that they didn’t feel that people in their area were

confident reporting crime (33.4%) compared with Protestants (21.1%) and those

of no religion (23.9%).

A greater proportion of those educated to tertiary level felt that people in their

area were confident reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI (68.5%)

compared with those educated to primary level (53.1%) or secondary level

(51.3%). Those educated to secondary level were more likely to neither agree nor

20.8%

35.9%

17.3%

17.8%

8.1%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree


disagree (21.3%) compared to those with primary (12.4%) and tertiary education

(13.6%).

More respondents who reported having a long-term physical or mental health

condition stated that people in their area didn’t feel confident reporting crime and

anti-social behaviour to PSNI (31.4%) compared with those reporting no disability

or illness (24.1%).

With regards to area breakdown, more respondents living in Belfast felt that

people in their area aren’t confident reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to

PSNI (30.8%) compared with those residing in urban areas excluding Belfast

(22.9%).

A greater proportion of respondents residing in mainly Republican areas felt that

people in their area aren’t confident reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to

PSNI (49.0%) compared with those residing in mainly Loyalist areas (21.6%) and

areas that were neither of these (22.3%).

In looking at the response to crime from PSNI, 44.7% of respondents agreed that

PSNI keeps their area safe. Of the 1,129 respondents, 26.6% neither agreed nor

disagreed with this, 12.2% stated that they strongly agreed, 11.7% stated that they

disagreed and 4.8% strongly disagreed (Figure 8).

Figure 8: PSNI keeps their Area Safe

12.2%

44.7%

26.6%

11.7%

4.8%

Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree



More respondents aged 65 and over strongly agreed or agreed that PSNI keeps

their area safe (62.7%) compared with those aged 18-34 (53.0%).

More Protestants strongly agreed or agreed that PSNI keeps their area safe

(66.5%) compared with Catholics (47.8%).

A higher proportion of respondents with tertiary level education strongly agreed or

agreed that PSNI keeps their area safe (65.7%) compared with those educated to

primary level (54.9%) and secondary level (51.8%). Those educated to

secondary level were more likely to neither agree nor disagree with this

statement (30.9%) compared to those with primary level education (21.9%) and

tertiary level education (23.2%).

More of those living in urban areas excluding Belfast strongly agreed or agreed

that PSNI keeps their area safe (59.7%) compared with those residing in Belfast

(50.0%). There were no differences between these cohorts and rural areas.

More respondents residing in mainly Loyalist areas (61.1%) and areas that were

neither Loyalist nor Republican (62.8%) strongly agreed or agreed that PSNI

keeps their area safe compared with those residing in mainly Republican areas

(23.5%).

Crime and Safety Summary

A small majority of respondents (56.7%) felt that people within their area were

confident in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI. A similar proportion

(56.9%) strongly agreed or agreed that PSNI keeps their area safe. Respondents

aged 65 and over had the highest levels of confidence in PSNI, alongside those who

identified as Protestants and those who were educated to tertiary level. Respondents

with a physical or mental health condition and those living within Belfast felt least

confident in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI, whilst those residing

in Belfast were least likely to agree that PSNI keeps their area safe.


2.4 The Law and Justice System

Of 1,156 respondents, 58.5% agreed and 24.4% strongly agreed that people in their

area generally abide by the law. Additionally, 9.9% of respondents neither agreed

nor disagreed with this statement, whilst 5.9% disagreed and 1.3% strongly

disagreed (Figure 9).

Figure 9: People in their Area Abide by the Law


A lower proportion of 18-34 year olds strongly agreed or agreed that people in

their area generally abide by the law (73.5%) compared with 45-54 year olds

(82.4%), 55-64 year olds (88.7%) and aged 65 and over (88.6%).

Fewer Catholics strongly agreed or agreed that people in their area generally

abide by the law (79.2%) compared with Protestants (86.3%).

Looking at marital status, a lower proportion of those who were single strongly

agreed or agreed that people in their area generally abide by the law (72.3%)

compared with those who were married or in a civil partnership (88.1%),

separated/divorced (81.7%) or widowed (84.0%).

More of those with tertiary level education strongly agreed or agreed that people

in their area generally abide by the law (90.0%) compared to those educated to

primary level (81.0%) and secondary level (78.9%).

24.4%

58.5%

9.9%

5.9%

1.3%

Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


A lower proportion of those residing in Belfast agreed or strongly agreed that

people in their area generally abide by the law (71.8%) compared to those in

other urban areas (81.2%) and rural areas (90.7%).

More of those residing in neither Loyalist nor Republican areas (90.8%) strongly

agreed or agreed that people in their area generally abide by the law compared

with those residing in mainly Loyalist (81.4%) and mainly Republican areas

(57.8%).

Respondents were asked if people in their area felt that they were protected by the

law and justice system. Of the 1,092 respondents who answered this question,

47.8% stated that they agreed and 15.1% strongly agreed with this, 23.9% neither

agreed nor disagreed, whilst 8.5% stated that they disagreed and 4.6% strongly

disagreed (Figure 10).

Figure 10: Protected by the Law and Justice System


A greater proportion of Protestants strongly agreed or agreed that they felt

protected by the law and justice system (73.8%) in comparison with Catholics

(53.6%) and those identifying as no religion (57.0%).

15.1%

47.8%

23.9%

8.5%

4.6%

Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


Looking at marital status, a lower proportion of those who were single (56.4%) or

separated/divorced (54.9%) felt that people in their area were protected by the

law and justice system compared with those who were married or in a civil

partnership (67.4%).

A greater proportion of those educated to tertiary level strongly agreed or agreed

that, within their area, they felt protected by the law and justice system (75.4%)

compared with those educated to primary level (61.1%) and secondary level

(55.8%). Those educated to secondary level were more likely to neither agree nor

disagree with this statement (29.3%) compared to those with primary level

education (20.9%) and tertiary level education (16.8%).

A lower proportion of respondents residing in mainly Republican areas strongly

agreed or agreed that people in their area feel protected by the law and justice

system (27.2%) compared with those residing in mainly Loyalist areas (65.2%)

and areas which were neither Loyalist nor Republican (70.7%).

The Law and Justice System Summary

Respondents largely agreed or strongly agreed that people within their area

generally abide by the law (82.9%), however a smaller proportion felt that they were

protected by the law and justice system (62.9%). More respondents who were

Protestant, aged 65 and over, married or in a civil partnership or educated to tertiary

level agreed with both of the above statements.


2.5 Levels of Crime

Respondents were asked if they felt there were low levels of crime, drugs and anti-

social behaviour in their area. Of 1,148 respondents, 48.7% stated that they agreed

and 15.5% strongly agreed, 13.4% stated that they neither agreed nor disagreed,

15.5% disagreed and 6.8% stated that they strongly disagreed (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Low Levels of Crime in their Area


More Protestants strongly agreed or agreed that there are low levels of crime,

drugs & anti-social behaviour in their area (69.3%) compared with Catholics

(61.4%) and those of no religion (57.3%).

A greater proportion of those educated to tertiary level strongly agreed or agreed

that there were low levels of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour in their area

(69.2%) compared with those educated to primary level (58.1%).

More of those residing in rural areas strongly agreed or agreed there are low

levels of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour in their area (68.6%) compared to

those living in Belfast (58.8%) and across all urban areas (61.8%).

A higher proportion of respondents residing in areas that were neither Loyalist

nor Republican (67.8%) or areas that were mainly Loyalist (61.6%) strongly

agreed or agreed there are low levels of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour in

their area compared with those residing in mainly Republican areas (45.6%).

15.5%

48.7%

13.4%

15.5%

6.8%

Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


2.6 Paramilitary Influence

Four questions were asked specifically in relation to the influence of paramilitary

groups. Respondents were initially asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed

that paramilitary groups have a controlling influence within their area. Of 1,105

respondents, 37.7% stated that they strongly disagreed, 34.7% stated that they

disagreed, 13.3% neither agreed nor disagreed, whilst 12.3% stated that they agreed

and 1.9% stated that they strongly agreed (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Paramilitary Groups have a Controlling Influence


More males disagreed or strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups have a

controlling influence in their area (76.1%) compared with females (69.4%).

Furthermore, more young males (76.2%) disagreed or strongly disagreed with

this statement compared with young females (60.9%).

More of those not in paid employment strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary

groups have a controlling influence in their area (16.9%) compared with those in

paid employment (11.9%).

A greater proportion of those who were married or in a civil partnership disagreed

or strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups have a controlling influence in their

area (77.2%) compared with those who were single (65.1%) or

separated/divorced (65.7%).

1.9%

12.3%

13.3%

34.7%

37.7% Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


More respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary

groups have a controlling influence (29.6%) compared with those residing in

urban areas excluding Belfast (14.3%) and rural areas (6.2%).

More respondents living in neither Loyalist nor Republican areas (87.3%)

disagreed or strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups have a controlling

influence in their area compared with those living in mainly Loyalist (49.1%) or

mainly Republican areas (48.3%).

In addition, respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that

paramilitary groups helped keep their area safe. Of 1,089 respondents, 46.2% stated

that they strongly disagreed, 34.6% stated that they disagreed, 13.8% neither agreed

nor disagreed, 4.7% stated that they agreed and 0.7% strongly agreed that

paramilitary grouped helped keep their area safe (Figure 13).

Figure 13: Paramilitary Groups Help Keep their Area Safe


A lower proportion of respondents aged 18-34 disagreed or strongly disagreed

that paramilitary groups help keep their area safe (73.8%) compared with those

aged 55-64 (84.0%) and aged 65 and over (85.7%).

A greater proportion of males disagreed or strongly disagreed that paramilitary

groups help keep their area safe (85.5%) in comparison to females (77.2%).

0.7%

4.7%

13.8%

34.6%

46.2%

Strongly Agree

Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


Furthermore, more young males (80.8%) disagreed or strongly disagreed with

this statement compared with young females (66.7%).

A greater proportion of those who were married or in a civil partnership (85.8%)

disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement compared with those who

were single (72.6%) or separated/divorced (72.8%).

More of those in paid employment disagreed or strongly disagreed that

paramilitary groups help keep their area safe (83.2%) in comparison to those not

in paid employment (78.0%).

More respondents with a disability strongly agreed or agreed that with this

statement (8.9%) compared with those having no disability (4.3%).

A greater proportion of those living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that

paramilitary groups help keep their area safe (11.8%) in comparison with those

residing in other urban areas (5.4%) and rural areas (2.0%).

More respondents living in neither Loyalist nor Republican areas (90.7%) strongly

disagreed or disagreed that paramilitary groups help keep their area safe

compared with those residing in mainly Loyalist areas (67.8%) and mainly

Republican areas (62.0%).

Respondents were asked if they felt paramilitary groups create fear and intimidation

within their area. Of 1,087 respondents, 36.8% stated that they strongly disagreed,

33.0% stated that they disagreed, 14.7% neither agreed nor disagreed, 11.9% stated

that they agreed and 3.5% strongly agreed with this (Figure 14).

Figure 14: Paramilitary Groups Create Fear and Intimidation

3.5%

11.9%

14.7%

33.0%


Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree



More Protestants disagreed or strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups create

fear and intimidation in their area (72.7%) compared with respondents of no

religion (62.8%).

More respondents who were single strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary

groups create fear and intimidation (22.9%) compared with those who were

married or in a civil partnership (12.5%) or separated/divorced (12.4%).

A greater proportion of respondents with no disability disagreed or strongly

disagreed that paramilitary groups create fear and intimidation in their area

(71.5%) compared to those with a disability (64.3%).

More respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary

groups create fear and intimidation in their area (32.0%) in comparison to urban

areas excluding Belfast (14.9%) and rural areas (7.4%).

A greater proportion of respondents residing in neither Loyalist nor Republican

areas (79.9%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups create

fear and intimidation in their area compared with those residing in mainly

Republican (51.6%) or mainly Loyalist areas (50.7%).

Of 1,058 respondents, 34.2% strongly disagreed that paramilitary groups contribute

to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour within their area. Additionally, 27.7%

stated that they disagreed with this statement, whilst 16.2% neither agreed nor

disagreed, 17.0% stated that they agreed and 5.0% strongly agreed (Figure 15).

Figure 15: Paramilitary Groups Contribute to Crime

5.0%

17.0%

16.2%

27.7%


Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree



More of those not in paid employment strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary

groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour in their area

(25.1%) in comparison to those in paid employment (19.2%).

A greater proportion of respondents who are single strongly agreed or agreed

that paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social

behaviour in their area (27.3%) compared with those who are married or in a civil

partnership (20.3%) or separated/divorced (17.9%).

More of those with a disability strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups

contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour in their area (28.4%)

compared to those with no disability (20.1%).

A greater proportion of respondents residing in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed

that paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social

behaviour in their area (46.7%) compared to those residing in urban areas

excluding Belfast (20.7%) and rural areas (11.1%).

A greater proportion of respondents residing in mainly Loyalist areas (42.8%)

strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug

dealing and anti-social behaviour in their area compared with those residing in

mainly Republican areas (28.9%) and neither Loyalist nor Republican areas

(13.4%).

Paramilitary Influence Summary

A small proportion of respondents (15.4%) strongly agreed or agreed that

paramilitary groups ‘create fear and intimidation’ within their area, have a controlling

influence (14.2%), and help keep their area safe (5.4%). Around one-fifth strongly

agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-

social behaviour within their area (22.0%). Across all questions, a greater proportion

of respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that paramilitary groups

have some form of influence within their area.


2.7 Young People and Crime

The next series of questions asked respondents for their opinions regarding young

people in their area. Of 1,081 respondents, 33.1% strongly disagreed and 32.0%

disagreed that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young

people within their area. Of the remaining respondents, 16.0% neither agreed nor

disagreed, 15.7% agreed and 3.1% strongly agreed with this statement (Figure 16).

Figure 16: Young People Contribute to Crime


More respondents aged 35-44 (69.7%), 45-54 (65.6%) and 65 and over (71.5%)

disagreed or strongly disagreed that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social

behaviour among young people in their area compared with those aged 18-34

(54.8%).

A greater proportion of those not in paid employment strongly agreed or agreed

that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people

in their area (22.4%) compared with those not in paid employment (16.0%).

More respondents who are married or in a civil partnership disagreed or strongly

disagreed that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among

young people in their area (72.9%) compared with those who are single (50.2%)

or separated/divorced (60.9%).

3.1%

15.7%

16.0%

32.0%


Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree


More respondents with a disability or illness strongly agreed or agreed that there

is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people in their

area (24.3%) compared with those respondents who did not have a disability or

illness (17.4%).

More of those educated to tertiary level disagreed or strongly disagreed with this

statement (71.1%) compared with those educated to primary level (62.2%) and

secondary level (60.9%).

A greater proportion of respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed

that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people

in their area (40.0%) compared with those living in urban areas excluding Belfast

(17.3%) and rural areas (10.2%).

More respondents residing in mainly Republican areas (41.9%) strongly agreed

or agreed that there is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among

young people in their area compared with those residing in mainly Loyalist areas

(29.0%) and neither Republican nor Loyalist areas (11.0%).

Respondents were then asked if young people were being influenced too much by

paramilitary groups within their area. Of 1,028 respondents, 34.0% stated that they

strongly disagreed, 31.5% stated they disagreed, 17.6% neither agreed nor

disagreed, 14.3% stated that they agreed and 2.7% strongly agreed (Figure 17).

Figure 17: Young People Influenced by Paramilitary Groups

2.7%

14.3%

17.6%

31.5%


Agree


Disagree

Strongly Disagree



A greater proportion of respondents aged 35-44 (71.3%), 55-64 (67.2%) and 65

and over (67.1%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that young people are being

influenced too much by paramilitary groups in their area compared with

respondents aged 18-34 (56.7%).

More respondents not in paid employment strongly agreed or agreed that young

people are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups in their area

(20.8%) compared with those in paid employment (13.6%).

More respondents educated to tertiary level disagreed or strongly disagreed that

young people are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups in their area

(70.3%) compared with those educated to primary level (60.2%). No differences

were found between these cohorts and those respondents educated to

secondary level.

More respondents with a disability or illness strongly agreed or agreed young

people are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups in their area

(23.6%) compared with those with no disability or illness (15.1%).

More respondents living in Belfast strongly agreed or agreed that young people

are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups in their area (41.1%)

compared with those living in urban areas excluding Belfast (15.9%) and rural

areas (5.1%).

More respondents living in mainly Loyalist (31.5%) or mainly Republican areas

(29.2%) strongly agreed or agreed that young people are being influenced too

much by paramilitary groups in their area compared with those residing in neither

Loyalist nor Republican areas (8.8%).

Young People and Crime Summary

The majority of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that there is a lot of

crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people within their area

(65.1%) and that young people are influenced too much by paramilitary groups within

their area (65.5%). However, more respondents who were not in paid employment

and more of those residing in Belfast agreed or strongly agreed with these

statements when compared with the other cohorts.


3. References and Links

Fresh Start Agreement –

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-fresh-start-for-northern-ireland

Three Person Panel report –

https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/newnigov/The%20

Fresh%20Start%20Panel%20report%20on%20the%20disbandment%20of%20para

military%20groups.pdf

Executive action plan –

https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/newnigov/Executiv

e%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Tackling%20Paramilitary%20Activity.pdf

Perceptions of Organised Crime and Human Trafficking: Findings from the

October 2016 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey –

https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/r-s-bulletin-92017-perceptions-organised-

crime-and-human-trafficking-findings-october-2016-northern

Perceptions of Organised Crime: Findings from the October 2017 Northern

Ireland Omnibus Survey –

https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/rs-bulletin-112018-preceptions-organised-

crime

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-fresh-start-for-northern-ireland

https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/newnigov/The%20Fresh%20Start%20Panel%20report%20on%20the%20disbandment%20of%20paramilitary%20groups.pdf



https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/newnigov/Executive%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Tackling%20Paramilitary%20Activity.pdf

https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/newnigov/Executive%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Tackling%20Paramilitary%20Activity.pdf

https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/r-s-bulletin-92017-perceptions-organised-crime-and-human-trafficking-findings-october-2016-northern

https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/r-s-bulletin-92017-perceptions-organised-crime-and-human-trafficking-findings-october-2016-northern


Tabular Annex

Table A1: Would you describe your area as…? (Religious Identity)

Demographic Mainly

Catholic Mainly

Protestant Mixed

Can’t Choose

Unweighted Base

All adults 24.4% 28.9% 41.5% 5.3% 1,203

Age

18-34 28.9% 25.1% 35.7% 10.3% 282

35-44 25.5% 27.6% 42.2% 4.7% 189

45-54 22.2% 27.3% 46.0% 4.5% 171

55-64 27.0% 31.6% 39.5% 1.9% 205

65+ 19.0% 32.8% 44.3% 3.9% 351

Gender Male 24.9% 29.2% 40.5% 5.4% 522

Female 24.0% 28.5% 42.3% 5.2% 681

Religion

Catholic 54.6% 6.4% 35.3% 3.7% 446

Protestant 3.3% 48.8% 44.2% 3.8% 461

No Religion 10.5% 36.0% 45.2% 8.3% 234

Other - - - - 36

Employment status

In paid employment 23.0% 27.3% 44.1% 5.6% 569

Not in paid employment 26.0% 30.6% 38.5% 4.9% 625

Marital status

Single, that is never married 27.9% 26.7% 37.1% 8.3% 375

Married / Civil Partnership 21.1% 29.6% 45.6% 3.7% 515

Separated / Divorced 30.4% 32.2% 29.6% 7.8% 156

Widowed 26.5% 27.6% 42.9% 3.1% 149

Level of qualifications

Primary 23.0% 33.0% 42.9% 1.1% 301

Secondary 28.0% 30.1% 37.7% 4.2% 512

Tertiary 21.5% 26.5% 46.9% 5.0% 331

Disability / illness

Has disability / illness 22.5% 32.9% 40.0% 4.6% 327

No disability / illness 24.8% 27.7% 42.1% 5.3% 871

Area type

Belfast 30.7% 42.7% 24.8% 1.8% 233

Urban, excluding Belfast 21.0% 27.5% 44.4% 7.0% 560

All urban 23.8% 31.8% 38.9% 5.6% 793

Rural 25.5% 23.6% 46.3% 4.7% 410 NOTE: 1. Results exclude “don’t know” and refusals 2. Figures cannot be shown where the denominator is less than 100 3. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding 4. Significant interactions have been noted on the accompanying excel spreadsheet.


Table A2: Would you describe your area as…? (Political Identity)

Demographic Mainly

Loyalist Mainly

Republican Neither of

These Can’t

Choose Unweighted

Base

All adults 22.5% 13.9% 52.1% 11.5% 1,203

Age

18-34 22.8% 17.6% 38.8% 20.8% 282

35-44 20.4% 15.7% 54.5% 9.4% 189

45-54 22.1% 9.5% 59.3% 9.0% 171

55-64 22.9% 15.9% 56.1% 5.1% 205

65+ 23.9% 10.5% 55.2% 10.5% 351

Gender

Male 22.7% 13.6% 53.2% 10.5% 522

Female 22.4% 14.1% 51.1% 12.4% 681

Religion

Catholic 4.2% 32.7% 54.3% 8.8% 446

Protestant 38.4% 2.2% 48.8% 10.6% 461

No Religion 30.1% 2.6% 50.7% 16.6% 234

Other - - - - 36

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 18.6% 15.5% 51.5% 14.4% 149


Primary 25.2% 15.3% 50.4% 9.2% 301

Secondary 24.2% 17.2% 47.1% 11.5% 512

Tertiary 20.1% 9.2% 62.8% 7.8% 331




Area type

Belfast 36.5% 24.7% 35.6% 3.2% 233


All urban 25.4% 14.5% 49.0% 11.1% 793

Rural 17.5% 12.8% 57.6% 12.1% 410 NOTE: 1. Results exclude “don’t know” and refusals 2. Figures cannot be shown where the denominator is less than 100 3. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding 4. Significant interactions have been noted on the accompanying excel spreadsheet.


Table A3: How safe do you feel living in this area?

Demographic Very Safe

Fairly Safe

Neither Safe nor

Unsafe

Fairly Unsafe

Very Unsafe

Unweighted Base

All adults 73.9% 22.5% 2.9% 0.6% 0.2% 1,199

Age

18-34 63.0% 29.8% 7.3% 0.0% 0.0% 280

35-44 71.7% 25.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 188

45-54 77.8% 17.7% 3.0% 1.5% 0.0% 170

55-64 78.5% 19.6% 1.4% 0.5% 0.0% 205

65+ 79.3% 19.0% 1.0% 0.3% 0.3% 351

Gender

Male 72.4% 24.0% 2.9% 0.5% 0.2% 521

Female 75.1% 21.2% 2.9% 0.5% 0.3% 678

Religion

Catholic 72.1% 24.3% 2.4% 0.9% 0.2% 444

Protestant 79.4% 17.9% 1.8% 0.4% 0.4% 460

No Religion 66.7% 27.6% 5.3% 0.4% 0.0% 233

Other - - - - - 36

Employment status

In paid employment 73.3% 23.5% 2.7% 0.3% 0.2% 565

Not in paid employment 74.5% 21.6% 3.0% 0.7% 0.2% 625

Marital status

Single, that is never married 62.1% 30.4% 6.3% 0.9% 0.3% 374

Married / Civil Partnership 81.3% 17.3% 1.1% 0.2% 0.2% 513

Separated / Divorced 66.1% 28.7% 3.5% 0.9% 0.9% 156

Widowed 74.5% 21.4% 2.0% 2.0% 0.0% 149


Primary 76.2% 19.5% 3.4% 0.4% 0.4% 301

Secondary 70.1% 25.1% 4.2% 0.4% 0.2% 510

Tertiary 80.1% 18.3% 0.8% 0.8% 0.0% 330


Has disability / illness 72.8% 21.9% 3.2% 1.8% 0.4% 327

No disability / illness 74.5% 22.5% 2.7% 0.2% 0.1% 867

Area type

Belfast 55.7% 38.8% 3.2% 2.3% 0.0% 233

Urban, excluding Belfast 74.9% 20.6% 3.8% 0.4% 0.4% 558

All urban 69.5% 25.7% 3.6% 0.9% 0.3% 791

Rural 82.0% 16.6% 1.4% 0.0% 0.0% 408

Political identity of area

Mainly Loyalist 65.3% 29.9% 4.1% 0.4% 0.4% 289

Mainly Republican 57.8% 34.9% 4.8% 1.8% 0.6% 174

Neither of these 83.5% 14.2% 1.9% 0.2% 0.2% 601 NOTE: 1. Results exclude “don’t know” and refusals 2. Figures cannot be shown where the denominator is less than 100 3. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding 4. Significant interactions have been noted on the accompanying excel spreadsheet.


Table A4: People in this area feel confident in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour to PSNI?

Demographic Strongly

Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree

Disagree Strongly Disagree

Unweighted Base

All adults 20.8% 35.9% 17.3% 17.8% 8.1% 1,069

Age

18-34 13.9% 30.3% 27.1% 22.3% 6.4% 243

35-44 19.8% 37.3% 15.8% 19.2% 7.9% 175

45-54 21.2% 33.3% 19.6% 16.9% 9.0% 160

55-64 24.9% 41.6% 9.6% 13.7% 10.2% 188

65+ 24.7% 38.0% 12.9% 16.0% 8.4% 299

Gender

Male 18.7% 38.0% 17.1% 19.5% 6.7% 462

Female 22.5% 34.1% 17.6% 16.4% 9.3% 607

Religion

Catholic 17.2% 31.7% 17.7% 24.0% 9.4% 397

Protestant 26.6% 39.7% 12.7% 12.7% 8.4% 421

No Religion 15.9% 34.8% 25.4% 18.4% 5.5% 205

Other - - - - - 29

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 21.0% 32.1% 13.6% 19.8% 13.6% 122


Primary 17.3% 35.8% 12.4% 22.1% 12.4% 258

Secondary 16.5% 34.8% 21.3% 18.8% 8.8% 467

Tertiary 30.6% 38.0% 13.6% 13.1% 4.7% 307




Area type

Belfast 16.1% 37.0% 16.1% 20.9% 10.0% 223


All urban 21.3% 36.0% 17.4% 17.1% 8.1% 711

Rural 19.7% 35.8% 17.1% 19.2% 8.2% 358


Mainly Loyalist 17.8% 40.2% 20.5% 14.7% 6.9% 275




Table A5: PSNI keeps this area safe?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 12.2% 44.7% 26.6% 11.7% 4.8% 1,129

Age

18-34 8.1% 44.9% 29.4% 12.5% 5.1% 263

35-44 7.2% 53.3% 25.0% 12.2% 2.2% 178

45-54 10.5% 43.5% 29.3% 9.4% 7.3% 163

55-64 16.6% 37.1% 26.3% 14.6% 5.4% 195

65+ 17.3% 45.4% 23.2% 9.9% 4.2% 326

Gender

Male 9.0% 46.1% 27.1% 12.1% 5.8% 493

Female 15.0% 43.5% 26.2% 11.4% 3.9% 636

Religion

Catholic 6.5% 41.3% 30.3% 14.0% 7.9% 414

Protestant 18.6% 47.9% 20.0% 10.5% 3.0% 437

No Religion 9.7% 42.1% 34.3% 11.6% 2.3% 220

Other - - - - - 32

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 14.1% 40.2% 29.3% 14.1% 2.2% 139


Primary 13.1% 41.8% 21.9% 17.3% 5.9% 271

Secondary 11.0% 40.7% 30.9% 11.6% 5.7% 497

Tertiary 13.2% 52.5% 23.2% 8.8% 2.3% 313




Area type

Belfast 8.4% 41.6% 28.0% 19.6% 2.3% 227


All urban 12.9% 44.1% 26.4% 12.3% 4.2% 748

Rural 10.9% 45.7% 26.8% 10.7% 6.0% 381


Mainly Loyalist 16.8% 44.3% 22.5% 13.0% 3.4% 279




Table A6: People in this area generally abide by the law?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 24.4% 58.5% 9.9% 5.9% 1.3% 1,156

Age

18-34 13.1% 60.4% 16.0% 9.3% 1.1% 260

35-44 18.7% 62.6% 12.3% 4.8% 1.6% 184

45-54 25.9% 56.5% 8.3% 5.7% 3.6% 167

55-64 31.1% 57.5% 5.7% 5.2% 0.5% 200

65+ 32.3% 56.2% 7.1% 4.0% 0.3% 340

Gender

Male 22.2% 61.1% 9.4% 5.6% 1.7% 502

Female 26.4% 56.2% 10.4% 6.1% 1.0% 654

Religion

Catholic 19.9% 59.3% 12.0% 6.3% 2.5% 429

Protestant 30.9% 55.4% 7.9% 5.2% 0.7% 450

No Religion 18.3% 63.8% 10.6% 6.4% 0.9% 222

Other - - - - - 31

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 26.6% 57.4% 8.5% 6.4% 1.1% 143


Primary 21.4% 59.5% 9.9% 6.7% 2.4% 289

Secondary 23.3% 55.6% 12.3% 7.6% 1.2% 496

Tertiary 28.9% 61.0% 6.3% 2.9% 0.9% 323




Area type

Belfast 13.9% 57.9% 12.5% 13.4% 2.3% 229


All urban 22.5% 56.0% 11.6% 8.2% 1.6% 758

Rural 27.8% 62.9% 6.9% 1.7% 0.7% 398


Mainly Loyalist 22.3% 59.1% 9.5% 8.3% 0.8% 281




Table A7: People in this area feel that they are protected by the law and justice system?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 15.1% 47.8% 23.9% 8.5% 4.6% 1,092

Age

18-34 9.5% 44.4% 32.1% 9.5% 4.4% 245

35-44 13.5% 50.0% 24.2% 9.0% 3.4% 174

45-54 12.0% 49.5% 21.4% 8.9% 8.3% 163

55-64 17.8% 46.0% 23.8% 7.4% 5.0% 194

65+ 22.1% 49.8% 17.3% 7.4% 3.3% 311

Gender

Male 12.1% 50.3% 23.1% 9.7% 4.8% 470

Female 17.6% 45.8% 24.5% 7.7% 4.5% 622

Religion

Catholic 10.0% 43.6% 28.9% 9.2% 8.3% 408

Protestant 22.7% 51.1% 15.4% 8.7% 2.1% 430

No Religion 9.5% 47.5% 33.0% 8.5% 1.5% 206

Other - - - - - 30

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 22.4% 43.5% 16.5% 15.3% 2.4% 131


Primary 15.8% 45.3% 20.9% 11.1% 6.8% 267

Secondary 12.8% 43.0% 29.3% 9.7% 5.2% 473

Tertiary 18.0% 57.5% 16.8% 5.7% 2.1% 310




Area type

Belfast 9.0% 47.1% 27.1% 13.8% 2.9% 222


All urban 15.0% 47.0% 24.2% 9.8% 4.1% 722

Rural 15.4% 49.5% 23.3% 6.2% 5.6% 370


Mainly Loyalist 16.6% 48.6% 22.0% 10.4% 2.3% 277




Table A8: There are low levels of crime, drugs & anti-social behaviour in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 15.5% 48.7% 13.4% 15.5% 6.8% 1,148

Age

18-34 10.5% 50.0% 15.6% 19.2% 4.7% 267

35-44 15.1% 50.8% 9.7% 17.3% 7.0% 182

45-54 15.0% 52.3% 12.4% 12.4% 7.8% 165

55-64 20.6% 45.0% 12.9% 15.3% 6.2% 197

65+ 17.4% 46.7% 14.6% 13.2% 8.0% 332

Gender

Male 13.3% 53.4% 12.2% 15.0% 6.2% 505

Female 17.6% 44.7% 14.5% 16.0% 7.3% 643

Religion

Catholic 15.1% 46.3% 11.9% 16.7% 10.0% 424

Protestant 19.7% 49.5% 12.4% 13.8% 4.6% 444

No Religion 8.7% 48.6% 20.2% 17.0% 5.5% 222

Other - - - - - 33

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 11.1% 53.3% 10.0% 15.6% 10.0% 139


Primary 17.1% 41.1% 13.4% 17.5% 11.0% 281

Secondary 14.5% 48.1% 14.1% 17.8% 5.5% 491

Tertiary 17.2% 52.0% 13.3% 11.9% 5.6% 326




Area type

Belfast 5.6% 53.2% 11.6% 25.0% 4.6% 228


All urban 12.4% 49.4% 13.9% 18.6% 5.6% 759

Rural 21.1% 47.4% 12.5% 9.8% 9.1% 389


Mainly Loyalist 13.5% 48.1% 18.0% 18.4% 1.9% 282




Table A9: There is a strong sense of community in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 20.9% 44.8% 20.6% 10.7% 2.9% 1,163

Age

18-34 20.1% 35.2% 30.0% 10.3% 4.4% 265

35-44 17.2% 46.2% 23.1% 11.8% 1.6% 184

45-54 24.7% 39.4% 21.7% 11.1% 3.0% 167

55-64 22.6% 46.6% 19.2% 10.1% 1.4% 199

65+ 19.8% 54.7% 10.7% 11.1% 3.7% 343

Gender

Male 17.4% 44.4% 21.9% 12.9% 3.4% 507

Female 23.8% 45.2% 19.6% 8.9% 2.5% 656

Religion

Catholic 27.0% 43.5% 19.1% 8.6% 1.8% 431

Protestant 19.5% 49.9% 16.1% 12.5% 2.0% 450

No Religion 12.8% 37.6% 31.2% 12.4% 6.0% 223

Other - - - - - 34

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 18.9% 52.6% 14.7% 12.6% 1.1% 146


Primary 27.8% 49.6% 10.7% 8.7% 3.2% 289

Secondary 18.9% 42.5% 24.0% 11.4% 3.1% 497

Tertiary 19.2% 45.4% 22.5% 11.0% 2.0% 327




Area type

Belfast 11.2% 46.3% 25.2% 14.5% 2.8% 227


All urban 16.9% 45.0% 22.8% 12.2% 3.2% 763

Rural 28.1% 44.4% 16.8% 8.2% 2.6% 400


Mainly Loyalist 13.9% 46.6% 21.1% 15.0% 3.4% 284




Table A10: Paramilitary groups have a controlling influence in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 1.9% 12.3% 13.3% 34.7% 37.7% 1,105

Age

18-34 1.6% 14.5% 15.3% 38.2% 30.5% 242

35-44 1.7% 13.3% 13.9% 33.3% 37.8% 177

45-54 3.1% 15.9% 12.3% 31.3% 37.4% 166

55-64 0.0% 11.3% 16.2% 25.0% 47.5% 194

65+ 2.8% 7.8% 10.3% 42.0% 37.0% 321

Gender

Male 2.3% 11.5% 10.0% 39.1% 37.0% 482

Female 1.5% 12.9% 16.2% 31.0% 38.4% 623

Religion

Catholic 2.1% 11.4% 14.7% 32.7% 39.0% 410

Protestant 2.3% 12.6% 11.4% 38.1% 35.5% 433

No Religion 1.0% 14.0% 16.4% 32.9% 35.7% 211

Other - - - - - 32

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 0.0% 14.9% 13.8% 33.3% 37.9% 134


Primary 3.0% 11.9% 13.6% 38.1% 33.5% 267

Secondary 2.4% 13.6% 14.8% 33.9% 35.2% 478

Tertiary 0.6% 11.8% 11.2% 32.6% 43.8% 320




Area type

Belfast 2.9% 26.7% 19.4% 33.0% 18.0% 215


All urban 2.8% 16.0% 14.0% 37.0% 30.3% 724

Rural 0.5% 5.7% 12.2% 30.7% 50.9% 381


Mainly Loyalist 4.6% 27.0% 19.4% 29.7% 19.4% 277




Table A11: Paramilitary groups help keep this area safe?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 0.7% 4.7% 13.8% 34.6% 46.2% 1,089

Age

18-34 1.2% 7.7% 17.3% 36.3% 37.5% 240

35-44 0.6% 5.0% 15.0% 33.9% 45.6% 177

45-54 1.6% 2.6% 15.0% 31.6% 49.2% 164

55-64 0.0% 4.4% 11.7% 28.2% 55.8% 193

65+ 0.4% 3.3% 10.6% 41.0% 44.7% 310

Gender

Male 0.4% 4.4% 9.8% 38.4% 47.0% 473

Female 1.0% 4.8% 17.0% 31.5% 45.7% 616

Religion

Catholic 1.0% 4.3% 14.5% 32.8% 47.5% 403

Protestant 0.2% 5.4% 11.5% 38.6% 44.2% 428

No Religion 0.5% 3.9% 16.3% 34.5% 44.8% 209

Other - - - - - 31

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 0.0% 7.1% 9.5% 41.7% 41.7% 130


Primary 0.4% 5.7% 14.9% 40.8% 38.2% 258

Secondary 0.8% 5.6% 16.5% 36.6% 40.5% 471

Tertiary 0.6% 3.4% 9.2% 27.6% 59.2% 321




Area type

Belfast 0.5% 11.3% 19.6% 41.2% 27.5% 212


All urban 0.6% 6.7% 15.8% 37.1% 39.8% 712

Rural 0.8% 1.3% 10.3% 30.3% 57.5% 377


Mainly Loyalist 1.1% 8.8% 22.2% 37.9% 29.9% 274




Table A12: Paramilitary groups create fear and intimidation in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 3.5% 11.9% 14.7% 33.0% 36.8% 1,087

Age

18-34 2.4% 14.1% 17.7% 38.2% 27.7% 239

35-44 1.7% 10.8% 18.2% 32.4% 36.9% 173

45-54 6.3% 13.2% 11.6% 28.9% 40.0% 163

55-64 4.9% 12.1% 14.1% 28.6% 40.3% 195

65+ 2.9% 9.8% 12.7% 35.1% 39.5% 312

Gender

Male 4.0% 11.6% 12.4% 36.5% 35.5% 470

Female 3.0% 12.2% 16.7% 30.2% 38.0% 617

Religion

Catholic 4.3% 11.1% 15.1% 31.2% 38.3% 405

Protestant 2.4% 12.8% 12.1% 34.8% 37.9% 425

No Religion 4.3% 13.0% 19.8% 35.3% 27.5% 210

Other - - - - - 29

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 2.3% 14.0% 14.0% 33.7% 36.0% 131


Primary 4.7% 13.2% 14.9% 33.6% 33.6% 265

Secondary 3.7% 13.0% 15.3% 35.1% 33.0% 467

Tertiary 2.6% 10.6% 14.1% 29.3% 43.4% 315




Area type

Belfast 3.9% 28.2% 21.4% 28.6% 18.0% 214


All urban 4.4% 15.5% 16.4% 34.0% 29.7% 715

Rural 1.8% 5.6% 11.7% 31.1% 49.7% 372


Mainly Loyalist 5.5% 23.0% 20.7% 27.7% 23.0% 270




Table A13: Paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing & anti-social behaviour in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 5.0% 17.0% 16.2% 27.7% 34.2% 1,058

Age

18-34 2.9% 18.9% 23.1% 28.2% 26.9% 229

35-44 3.4% 20.1% 16.1% 28.2% 32.2% 171

45-54 7.4% 14.3% 17.5% 24.9% 36.0% 161

55-64 5.9% 17.7% 13.3% 23.6% 39.4% 191

65+ 5.3% 14.3% 11.3% 32.5% 36.6% 301

Gender

Male 6.1% 18.1% 14.8% 29.0% 32.0% 463

Female 4.0% 16.2% 17.4% 26.4% 36.0% 595

Religion

Catholic 4.1% 16.3% 18.2% 26.4% 35.0% 396

Protestant 5.3% 17.3% 13.3% 28.9% 35.2% 418

No Religion 6.7% 19.5% 20.0% 27.7% 26.2% 199

Other - - - - - 27

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 2.5% 17.5% 16.3% 27.5% 36.3% 122


Primary 8.0% 18.6% 13.3% 27.4% 32.7% 255

Secondary 4.3% 18.1% 17.1% 29.6% 30.9% 454

Tertiary 4.2% 15.5% 16.7% 25.0% 38.7% 309




Area type

Belfast 8.5% 38.2% 21.6% 17.6% 14.1% 208


All urban 6.3% 21.8% 18.3% 26.6% 26.9% 693

Rural 2.6% 8.5% 12.4% 29.3% 47.2% 365


Mainly Loyalist 8.8% 34.0% 18.0% 22.0% 17.2% 266




Table A14: There is a lot of crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour among young people in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 3.1% 15.7% 16.0% 32.0% 33.1% 1,081

Age

18-34 4.0% 20.2% 21.0% 30.6% 24.2% 240

35-44 2.9% 16.0% 11.4% 36.6% 33.1% 173

45-54 4.8% 14.8% 14.8% 29.6% 36.0% 162

55-64 1.9% 16.5% 17.0% 25.2% 39.3% 194

65+ 2.2% 11.6% 14.6% 37.5% 34.1% 308

Gender

Male 2.6% 14.7% 15.1% 38.1% 29.4% 468

Female 3.5% 16.6% 16.6% 27.1% 36.1% 613

Religion

Catholic 4.1% 18.7% 13.6% 29.0% 34.5% 394

Protestant 1.6% 16.0% 14.6% 33.6% 34.3% 433

No Religion 4.5% 11.4% 25.9% 33.8% 24.4% 204

Other - - - - - 30

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 1.2% 18.8% 14.1% 31.8% 34.1% 130


Primary 3.0% 15.2% 19.6% 31.7% 30.4% 261

Secondary 4.2% 17.3% 17.5% 30.4% 30.4% 459

Tertiary 2.0% 14.3% 12.5% 34.1% 37.0% 317




Area type

Belfast 5.9% 34.1% 21.0% 27.3% 11.7% 217


All urban 3.9% 19.9% 19.8% 31.9% 24.5% 710

Rural 1.8% 8.4% 9.2% 32.3% 48.3% 371


Mainly Loyalist 3.6% 25.4% 24.2% 29.4% 17.5% 271




Table A15: Young people are being influenced too much by paramilitary groups in this area?


Agree Agree

Neither Agree

nor Disagree


Unweighted Base

All adults 2.7% 14.3% 17.6% 31.5% 34.0% 1,028

Age

18-34 0.9% 18.0% 24.5% 31.8% 24.9% 222

35-44 1.8% 12.9% 14.0% 36.3% 35.1% 169

45-54 6.5% 12.4% 15.1% 28.0% 38.2% 157

55-64 1.0% 15.7% 16.2% 26.3% 40.9% 186

65+ 3.6% 12.7% 16.7% 34.9% 32.1% 289

Gender

Male 2.7% 14.9% 16.4% 34.1% 31.8% 447

Female 2.6% 13.7% 18.4% 29.5% 35.8% 581

Religion

Catholic 3.0% 15.0% 17.8% 29.1% 35.1% 382

Protestant 2.0% 15.7% 16.2% 32.1% 34.1% 412

No Religion 3.7% 11.2% 23.5% 32.1% 29.4% 189

Other - - - - - 30

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 2.6% 22.4% 14.5% 26.3% 34.2% 118


Primary 4.1% 17.6% 18.1% 30.3% 29.9% 250

Secondary 2.4% 15.5% 18.4% 32.4% 31.3% 435

Tertiary 2.4% 11.3% 16.0% 31.2% 39.2% 308




Area type

Belfast 4.0% 37.1% 18.8% 27.2% 12.9% 210


All urban 3.4% 19.9% 20.1% 30.8% 25.7% 676

Rural 1.1% 4.0% 12.9% 32.9% 49.1% 352


Mainly Loyalist 5.2% 26.3% 25.5% 27.9% 15.1% 264




Table A16: Thinking about this immediate neighbourhood, the kind of place it is and the kind of people who live around here, would you say that you feel a sense of belonging to this neighbourhood?

Demographic Yes,

Definitely Yes,

Probably Probably

Not Definitely

Not Unweighted

Base

All adults 62.8% 27.9% 6.7% 2.6% 1,185

Age

18-34 45.9% 36.7% 11.7% 5.7% 274

35-44 60.0% 30.8% 7.6% 1.6% 184

45-54 66.5% 23.9% 6.1% 3.6% 169

55-64 71.0% 22.0% 5.6% 1.4% 204

65+ 71.9% 24.8% 2.3% 1.0% 349

Gender

Male 60.3% 28.4% 8.1% 3.1% 514

Female 65.0% 27.6% 5.5% 2.0% 671

Religion

Catholic 66.8% 26.1% 4.2% 2.9% 438

Protestant 67.7% 25.9% 4.9% 1.5% 459

No Religion 48.6% 32.3% 15.0% 4.1% 227

Other - - - - 36

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 67.3% 28.6% 1.0% 3.1% 149


Primary 70.5% 21.8% 6.1% 1.5% 300

Secondary 62.9% 28.4% 7.1% 1.5% 505

Tertiary 61.1% 29.7% 5.9% 3.4% 329




Area type

Belfast 58.5% 29.0% 9.2% 3.2% 232


All urban 62.2% 26.7% 7.6% 3.5% 782

Rural 63.7% 30.1% 5.2% 0.9% 403


Mainly Loyalist 60.0% 30.4% 7.4% 2.2% 289

Mainly Republican 56.6% 33.7% 6.0% 3.6% 174

Neither of these 70.5% 22.9% 4.8% 1.8% 596 NOTE: 1. Results exclude “don’t know” and refusals 2. Figures cannot be shown where the denominator is less than 100 3. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding 4. Significant interactions have been noted on the accompanying excel spreadsheet.


Table A17: Do you feel that you have any influence when it comes to any of the local decisions made around here?

Demographic Yes,

Definitely Yes,

Probably Probably

Not Definitely

Not Unweighted

Base

All adults 8.5% 17.9% 29.8% 43.7% 1,171

Age

18-34 6.4% 15.7% 23.9% 53.9% 273

35-44 5.9% 21.6% 33.5% 38.9% 184

45-54 14.8% 14.8% 30.2% 40.2% 165

55-64 6.7% 21.0% 31.0% 41.4% 199

65+ 9.7% 17.1% 31.9% 41.3% 345

Gender

Male 8.4% 17.1% 27.9% 46.7% 512

Female 8.8% 18.6% 31.5% 41.1% 659

Religion

Catholic 7.3% 17.4% 32.0% 43.2% 431

Protestant 12.0% 18.3% 30.9% 38.8% 452

No Religion 4.0% 16.4% 25.7% 54.0% 230

Other - - - - 34

Employment status



Marital status




Widowed 11.3% 12.4% 30.9% 45.4% 148


Primary 8.2% 10.5% 25.8% 55.5% 295

Secondary 7.7% 18.7% 30.6% 43.1% 495

Tertiary 10.0% 24.5% 30.8% 34.8% 325




Area type

Belfast 6.9% 13.4% 30.9% 48.8% 231


All urban 7.3% 14.8% 30.5% 47.4% 781

Rural 10.9% 23.8% 28.5% 36.7% 390


Mainly Loyalist 8.9% 16.4% 29.7% 45.0% 287

Mainly Republican 7.3% 19.5% 32.9% 40.2% 172

Neither of these 9.5% 18.4% 29.9% 42.2% 582 NOTE: 1. Results exclude “don’t know” and refusals 2. Figures cannot be shown where the denominator is less than 100 3. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding 4. Significant interactions have been noted on the accompanying excel spreadsheet.


Technical Annex Sampling and fieldwork

The sample of those surveyed in the 2017 Northern Ireland life and Times Survey consisted of a

systematic random sample of addresses selected from the Postcode Address File (PAF) database

of addresses. This is the most up-to-date and complete listing of addresses. Private business

addresses were removed from the database prior to sample selection. A total of 2,350 addresses

were selected for interview.

The person to be interviewed was randomly selected using the ‘next birthday’ rule. The interviewer

asked the householder to list the birthdays of all members of the household eligible for inclusion in

the sample: that is, all persons aged 18 or over living at the address. The person with the next

birthday, at the time of the call, was the person with whom the interview was to be conducted.

Where the selected respondent was not available, an appointment was made to call back to

interview them at a more suitable time. From a set sample of 2,350 addresses, 1,203 interviews

were achieved giving a response rate of 51.2%.

Selecting only one individual for interview at each address means individuals living in large

households have a lower chance of being included in the sample than individuals living in smaller

households. The data presented in this bulletin have been weighted, to prevent a bias towards

smaller households. To assess how accurately a survey sample reflects the population of

Northern Ireland, the characteristics of the sample are compared with the characteristics of the

Northern Ireland population from Mid-Year Population Estimates. The NILTS Sample has also

been compared to the achieved sample of the Continuous Household Survey. Table B1 shows this

comparison and Table B2 a profile of the survey sample.

Table B1: Representativeness of the Sample NILTS 2017

Characteristics Mid-Year Population

Estimates 2017 CHS 2016/17 NILTS

Age 18-24 11% 5% 9% 25-34 17% 14% 15% 35-44 17% 16% 16% 45-54 18% 20% 17% 55-64 15% 17% 18% 65+ 21% 27% 25%

Gender Male 49% 43% 46% Female 51% 57% 54%

Base = 100% 1,434,431 3,262 1,203 Source: NISRA, NILTS 2017


Table B2: Sample Profile for Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 20171

Demographic Unweighted

Number Unweighted

% Weighted

%

All adults 1,203 100% 100%

Age of household reference person (HRP)1

18-24 93 7.8% 9.2%

25-34 189 15.8% 15.1%

35-44 189 15.8% 15.9%

45-54 171 14.3% 16.6%

55-64 205 17.1% 17.9%

65+ 351 29.3% 25.4%

Gender

Male 522 43.4% 45.7%

Female 681 56.6% 54.3%

Religion

Catholic 446 37.9% 38.9%

Protestant 461 39.2% 38.6%

No Religion 234 19.9% 19.5%

Other 36 3.1% 2.9%

Employment status

In paid employment 569 47.3% 52.0%

Not in paid employment 625 52.0% 47.3%

Marital status

Single, that is never married 375 31.4% 28.1%

Married / Civil Partnership 515 43.1% 54.2%

Separated 54 4.5% 3.2%

Divorced 102 8.5% 6.4%

Widowed 149 12.5% 8.2%


Primary 301 26.3% 22.9%

Secondary 512 44.8% 45.8%

Tertiary 331 28.9% 31.3%


Has disability / illness 327 27.3% 23.3%

No disability / illness 871 72.7% 76.7%

Area type

Belfast 233 19.4% 18.2%

Urban, excluding Belfast 560 46.6% 46.2%

All urban 793 65.9% 64.4%

Rural 410 34.1% 35.6% 1. Results exclude "don't know" and refusals.

Weighting

Selecting only one individual for interview at each sampled address means that the probability of

selection for the survey is inversely related to the size of the household. In other words, individuals

living in large households have a lower chance of being included in the sample than individuals in

small households.


Before analysis, all households which provided a selected respondent are examined and the data

are weighted in relation to the number of eligible adults at the address derived from the details of

household structure recorded by interviewers on the questionnaire. This weighting process adjusts

the results to those that would have been achieved if the sample had been drawn as a random

sample of adults rather than of addresses. In this sample, 39% of households consisted of one

adult, while 47% of households consisted of two adults, 10% of households contained three adults,

while 4% of households consisted of four or more adults.

Table B3: Weighting of the Sample

Number of adults 18 and over

Number Household

Size x Number

Relative Scaled Weight

1 469 469 0.5536125173

2 560 1120 1.1072250345

3 120 360 1.6608375518

4 47 188 2.2144500690

5 6 30 2.7680625863

6 1 6 3.3216751035 Source: NI Life and Times Survey 2017.

Note: On occasions, in tables showing weighted data, the sum of column totals does not equal the

grand total. This is due to the rounding process associated with weighting. The percentages in the

tables are based on weighted data but the totals are unweighted.

Rounding, Error and Statistical Significance

Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding or because respondents

could give more than one response.

Due to a combination of both sampling and non-sampling error, any sample is unlikely to reflect

precisely the characteristics of the population. The number of cases upon which analysis is based

is important, as it influences the precision (standard error) of the estimates. The Department of

Justice does not routinely publish estimates where the Unweighted Base is less than 100 cases.

Because NILTS estimates are subject to sampling error, differences between estimates from

successive years of the survey or between population subgroups may occur by chance.

For the purposes of this bulletin, where differences have emerged as being statistically significant,

these have been reported in the text and /or Excel Tables. Statistical significance is reported at

the 5% (p<0.05) level of probability (two-tailed tests). This means that, for any observed result that

is found to be statistically significant, one can be 95% confident that this has not happened by

chance. Please note no statistical testing was completed in relation to ‘other’ comments.

Analytical Services Group

Financial Services Division

Department of Justice

Level 3, Block B

Castle Buildings

Stormont Estate

Belfast

BT4 3SG

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 028 9052 0190

www.justice-ni.gov.uk

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