An absence of paramilitary-style beatings and shootings in republican areas of Belfast over the last month has been attributed to the IRA's support for newly-established Community Restorative Justice programmes in the city.
Republican paramilitaries in Belfast have not carried out a so-called "punishment" beating or shooting for 30 days and sources suggest this reflected the success of the community justice schemes.
The innovative system of justice relies on mediation between victims of petty crime and the perpetrator and is supported by the British government.
A number of pilot programmes have been set up in republican and loyalist areas and the paramilitaries have indicated that people should approach the schemes with their grievances and not their organisations.
The last paramilitary-style attack in Belfast took place on March 12th in Poleglass when a 19-year-old man was shot in both ankles. In the North a total of four republican punishment attacks were carried out in March compared to 25 in the first two months of this year. Since the start of the year there has been a total of 83 "punishment" attacks, with 54 of these attributed to loyalist paramilitaries.
The Restorative Justice programmes have also been successful in loyalist areas of the city with the UVF and Red Hand Commando supporting programmes on the Shankill Road.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Fein Assembly member for North Belfast, Mr Gerry Kelly, yesterday called for attacks on a Protestant family in the Whitewell area of the city to end. Two children and their grandmother escaped from their home without injury when flammable liquid was poured through their letterbox and set alight on Friday night.
"Those involved in such sectarian acts, no matter who they are, should stop immediately. People must be allowed to live where they choose without intimidation," said Mr Kelly.