The domestic burglary rate in Northern Ireland has increased, figures from the Department of Justice revealed.
The rise was less than 1 per cent and comes amid an overall fall in victimhood levels.
The survey estimated that 13 per cent of all households were the victims of at least one crime during the last year.
Justice Minister David Ford said: “This reinforces earlier reports that the level of recorded crime in Northern Ireland is on a downward trend.
“While that is to be welcomed, I am aware that for those who have been victims of crime, these statistics will provide little comfort.”
The 2010/11 Northern Ireland Crime Survey reported that there was the lowest victimisation rate recorded since the survey began in 1994, with a 14 per cent decrease since the previous year, consistent with police recorded crime figures.
While the overall victimisation rate decreased between 2009/10 and 2010/11, the rates for most individual offences remained similar to those measured in 2009/10. The exceptions included an increase in the prevalence rate of domestic burglary (up from 1.6 per cent to 2.2 per cent and burglary with entry (1 per cent to 1.6 per cent) together with a decrease in the rate of other household theft (from 3.2 per cent to 2.4 per cent).
Mr Ford added: “I have already commissioned work on the development of a new strategy for victims and witnesses of crime, and the Criminal Justice Inspection report on the treatment of victims and witnesses will help inform that strategy.”
In the New Year he will also publish a community safety strategy.
A PSNI spokesman said: “Police officers are working hard every day to keep people safe and prevent crime. Reported crimes continue to fall and are now at their lowest levels for many years.
“We welcome the results of the Northern Ireland Crime Statistics report for 2010/11, but we also appreciate that statistics mean little if you have been the victim of a crime.
“We must continue to respond to victims in a professional and protective manner and work in partnership with the community to prevent and detect crime.”
PA