To ask the Minister of Justice to detail the number of (i) charges; and (ii) convictions made in relation to human trafficking in each policing district in each of the past five years.

The Department does not hold information in relation to the number of charges brought in relation to human trafficking offences, as detailed in part (i) of the question. The recording of information on persons charged for offences by the PSNI is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

You may, therefore, wish to direct your question to the PSNI.

Information has been provided in relation to the number of prosecutions and convictions at courts for offences under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 and other offences which specified human trafficking in the description for cases that were dealt with at all courts in Northern Ireland. Departmental datasets do not contain information on the policing district in which an offence took place.

Prosecutions and convictions at courts for offences under human trafficking legislation, 2015 – 2019

Note:

1. Figures relate to initial disposals at court. Appeals are not included.

2. Figures relate to cases where there was a prosecution or conviction for at least one human trafficking offence.

3. Figures relate to offences under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 and other offences which specified human trafficking in the offence description.