Northern Ireland: Racist hate crimes at record high, new PSNI figures show

1,507 racist hate crimes recorded in the past year – highest level since records began

Statistics published today by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) show that police recorded 1,507 racist hate crimes and 2,367 racist incidents in the 12 months to the end of March 2026 - the highest annual figures since records began in 2004.

The figures represent a dramatic year-on-year increase, with racist incidents rising by 561 and racist hate crimes increasing by 320 compared to the previous 12 months.

The report also highlights the sustained impact of racist violence in Ballymena and other towns during June 2025. The period from June 2025 to March 2026 accounts for eight of the ten highest monthly levels of racially motivated incidents ever recorded in Northern Ireland.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

“Racist violence is spiralling out of control in Northern Ireland. These shocking figures must be a wake-up call for political leaders.

“For years, minoritised communities have warned that racism is becoming normalised, and these record figures show those warnings were not heeded.

“The Stormont Executive has failed to protect Northern Ireland’s increasingly diverse society and has left many people feeling unsafe in their own communities.

“Tackling racism and race hate crime in Northern Ireland requires not just a consistent response from the police but clear leadership from the Executive.

“We need a coordinated anti-racism strategy, effective hate crime laws, proper support for victims, anti-racism education and clear political leadership that challenges racism wherever it appears.

“Right now, Northern Ireland lacks all of these.”