More than 200 police officers in Northern Ireland were assaulted during the Christmas period, according to recently released figures. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported 228 attacks on officers between December 1 and December 31, 2025, a decrease from the 274 reported in December 2024.
Operation Season’s Greetings Results
The figures were released as part of a report on Operation Season’s Greetings, the PSNI’s Christmas policing operation. The operation, which ran from late November to early January, involved a highly visible policing presence in town centres, shopping areas, and nightlife zones across Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Ryan Henderson acknowledged the continued violence directed towards officers. “Sadly, we continue to see unacceptable levels of violence directed towards our people,” Henderson said. “While we welcome any reduction, even one assault on an officer or staff member is one too many.”
The assaults included officers being kicked, punched, spat on, and subjected to threatening or abusive behaviour while on duty. Some officers sustained minor injuries, such as cuts and bruising, while others required medical treatment.
Patrols focused on areas with high foot traffic, including the Belfast Christmas Market, Victoria Square, The Boulevard Banbridge, The Junction Antrim, and key rail and transport hubs.
Crime Statistics During the Festive Period
Alongside the assaults on officers, 662 shoplifting offences were recorded in December 2025, representing a 1.7% increase compared to December 2024. There were 2,954 reports of anti-social behaviour last month, a decrease of 4.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
The operation also included targeted enforcement around road safety, retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls. Plain-clothed and uniformed officers were deployed to key nightlife locations to identify and intervene in predatory or concerning behaviour.
ACC Henderson, who led the operation, said it “demonstrated the best of community-focused policing: visibility, prevention and partnership.” He added that officers and staff across every district worked tirelessly to ensure people could enjoy the festive season safely.
The PSNI patrolled 68 targeted areas on more than 2,100 occasions, with support from neighbourhood, response, and specialist units. Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts praised the partnership between business and the police, calling it “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.”
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