More than 200 police officers assaulted in NI over Christmas period, PSNI says
By Claudia Savage, Press Association
More than 200 police officers were assaulted over the Christmas period in Northern Ireland, figures have shown.
In the month of December, there were 662 shoplifting offences, representing an increase of 1.7 per cent compared with the same period last year.
The PSNI have released information on “Operation Season’s Greetings”, the force’s Christmas policing operation.
From December 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025, there were 228 assaults on police officers, compared to 274 during the same period last year.
“Sadly, we continue to see unacceptable levels of violence directed towards our people,” Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said.
“While we welcome any reduction, even one assault on an officer or staff member is one too many.
“These assaults included officers being kicked, punched, spat on and subjected to threatening or abusive behaviour while simply doing their jobs.
“In a number of cases, officers sustained minor injuries such as cuts and bruising, while others required medical treatment.”
Running from late November to early January, the operation saw officers across all districts deliver a highly visible policing presence in busy town centres, shopping areas and nightlife zones.
Patrols focused on locations with increased festive footfall, including the Belfast Christmas Market, Victoria Square, The Boulevard Banbridge, The Junction Antrim and key rail and transport hubs across Northern Ireland.
The operation also included targeted enforcement around road safety, retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Our officers patrolled 68 areas on over 2,100 occasions during Operation Season’s Greetings. Patrols focused on locations with increased footfall and targeted enforcement around road safety, retail crime, ASB and violence against women and girls.
Read: https://t.co/xTnUnhvQOH pic.twitter.com/QWLIFQjUS3— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 30, 2026
Over December 2025 there were 2,954 reports of anti-social behaviour, representing a decrease of 4.4 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Mr Henderson, who led the operation, said it “demonstrated the best of community-focused policing: visibility, prevention and partnership.”
“Officers and staff across every district worked tirelessly to ensure people could enjoy the festive season safely,” he said.
In total, officers patrolled 68 targeted areas on more than 2,100 occasions, supported by colleagues from neighbourhood, response and specialist units.
The operation deployed plain-clothed and uniformed officers across key nightlife locations to identify and intervene in predatory or concerning behaviour.
Mr Henderson said the project “helped prevent harm, offered reassurance, and demonstrated our ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.”
Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said the body was “pleased to work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this successful operation”.
“It is a good example of partnership between business and the police to tackle a challenge, particularly at such a critical time of the year for the retail sector,” he said.
