Community safety
There is a range of help and advice which can help make your neighbourhood and the community safer. You can also get information on personal safety, and what to do if there are issues or you’re the victim of a crime.
Your neighbourhood
It’s important that you feel safe where you live, work or spend your leisure time. There are ways to help improve the safety of your own community.
Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) are statutory bodies, set up to help make communities safer.
There are 11 PCSPs across Northern Ireland, one working in each council district.
You can find out more, including about membership, on the following page:
Setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme in your area can also help you and your neighbours feel safe:
Major incidents and emergencies
Support is available to help communities work together to plan for major incidents and emergencies in their areas.
There is information at these links:
Your home
Advice is available at the following links on keeping your home or farm secure:
You can also have plans in place for your home on what to do in an emergency or severe weather:
Personal safety
There is advice on staying safe when at home or out and about at these links:
It is important to know what to do if you witness or get caught up in a terror attack:
Crime and anti-social behaviour
Yon can find useful advice on keeping safe and helping prevent crime at this link:
There is information about different types of crime and how to get help at these links:
Anti-social behaviour can affect the quality of life of individuals and communities. It's important to report your concerns about antisocial behaviour.
How to report a crime
You can report a crime anonymously.
If you’re a victim or witness of a crime of any type or feel threatened, including hate crime, report it to the police.
Hate crime is a crime against a person because of their race, religious belief, sexual orientation, political opinion, gender identity or disability.
To report a crime:
- phone 999 in an emergency
- for non-urgent matters, phone the police on 101
- report a crime online
If you want to provide information about crime anonymously you can:
If you don't want to report the crime, someone else can report it for you.
The police can get interpreters 24 hours a day for non-English speakers.
If your home has been attacked
If you or your home has been threatened or attacked, there is a range of help and support available.
Anyone affected by violence and feeling unsafe in their home are advised to contact the Housing Executive for support. Help is available as follows:
- homelessness helpline: 03448 920 908
- general enquiries:
- phone: 03448 920 900
- email: information@nihe.gov.uk
- repairs: 03448 920 901
These services are available out-of-hours on the same phone numbers.
You may be eligible for help from the Hate Incident Practical Action Scheme. There is information at this link:
General housing and homelessness advice is also available on the NI Housing Executive website.
Support for victims of crime
If you have been a victim of crime or abuse in Northern Ireland there is information available, including about organisations and groups that can give you free advice and support, at these links:
- Support services for victims
- Coming forward as a victim
- Coming forward as a witness
- Giving a statement to the police
- Help and support for victims
- Victim support
Claiming compensation for criminal damage or injuries
You may be entitled to compensation if your property has been damaged or you have suffered an injury.
Town centre safety
Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, the police and other organisations work with businesses and the community to reduce crime and disorder in town centres.