![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2.1555285.jpg\")
The number of paramilitary-style assaults in Belfast and part of Co Antrim have more than halved over the last year.<\/p>\nThe number of paramilitary-style assaults in Belfast and part of Co Antrim have more than halved over the last year.<\/p>\n
They are usually carried out by loyalists, who say they are on ceasefire, or dissident republican groups on members of their own community as a so-called punishment.<\/p>\n
They typically involve a group of assailants armed with iron bars or baseball bats.<\/p>\n
PSNI\u2019s head of Criminal Investigation Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Tim Mairs, said: \u201cWhile we welcome the reduction in paramilitary-style assaults in Belfast and in Mid and East Antrim during this period, one assault is one too many for the victim.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me be clear \u2013 there is no place for what are often faceless thugs who believe they have a legitimacy to mete out their so-called justice in our communities in an attempt to seek control through fear and violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
PSNI statistics showed 16 assaults in Belfast over the last year compared to 39 the year before.<\/p>\n
In Mid and East Antrim they fell from 17 to seven while Antrim and Newtownabbey district saw the largest increase in numbers, from two to 10.<\/p>\n
Alan McBride from Northern Ireland\u2019s largest victims\u2019 group, the Wave Trauma Center, said around half of the organisation\u2019s referrals which he had been responsible for had in the past involved paramilitary intimidation.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt is a major issue and I am hoping that this (reduction) is true.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it has halved in Belfast that is fantastic news.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere should be no place in society for paramilitary thugs \u2026 in republican or loyalist areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should not be part of any society \u2013 anywhere. It is always counter-productive.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil very recently we were seeing a lot of people who were intimidated by paramilitaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Across the North there were 64 casualties of paramilitary-style assaults during the last year compared to 76 the previous year, the PSNI said.<\/p>\n
There were 22 victims of paramilitary-style shootings during the last 12 months compared to 26 during the previous period.<\/p>\n
There was a decrease in the numbers of security-related deaths and bombings.<\/p>\n
In February this year Raymond Johnston from Poleglass in West Belfast was shot dead in front of his partner and an 11-year-old girl while he cooked pancakes.<\/p>\n
At the time police believed dissident republicans may have been responsible.<\/p>\n
Derry City and Strabane was the only policing district to see an increase in the number of shootings over the last year, some of which were paramilitary-style attacks.<\/p>\n
Antrim and Newtownabbey saw the largest increase in the number of paramilitary-style assaults.<\/p>\n
There were 181 persons arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, up from 127 during the previous 12 months.<\/p>\n
Mr Mairs said: \u201cNot only do these attacks have a profound effect on the victim, but also on their families and the communities where they occur.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to reassure the public that PSNI officers, together with the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, will continue to investigate and disrupt the activities of paramilitaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
He appealed for anyone with information to contact police.<\/p>\n