LISTEN: More needs to be done to tackle rising number of paramilitary style attacks

By Q Radio

The latest PSNI statistics show that the number of paramilitary shootings and attacks is on the rise across Northern Ireland. 

A total of 67 people were targeted in paramilitary-style assaults between January and December 2019 compared to 51 the previous year.  

The number of people injured in paramilitary-style shootings also rose from 17 to 18. 

SDLP MLA and NI Policing Board member Dolores Kelly says it's not only police who need to do more.  

The number of bombings decreased slightly from 17 to 15. 

There were two security related deaths in Northern Ireland last year and 147 people arrested under The Terrorism Act.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said "there is no justifying these attacks" which he branded as "barbaric".

"Those who continue to believe in the use of violence, from whatever criminal grouping they claim to represent, do so to cement their own status and exert control, in full acceptance of the fact that they are victimising their own communities," he added. 

"These hypocrites acting as judge, jury and, in some instances, executioner do not represent the interests of any community."