CONFIDENT I AL
3RD DRAFT
lawlessness, the Security Forces have greatly undermined the
strength of, and support in the community for, the terrorist
The level of violence has been significantly
reduced and there has been a period of steady progress in restoring
organisations.
law and order.
33.
These
In the past year 1,367 people were arrested and charged with
terrorist offences, of which 155 related to murder or attempted
murder. 188 people were detained under the Northern Ireland
(Emergency Provisions) Act. 1,260 firearms, 150,000 rounds of
ammunition and nearly 24 tons of explosive were recovered.
successes are reflected in the gradual but significant reduction in
the nature and number of violent incidents, particularly in the
large cities. There were 16 rocket attacks by the Provisional
IRA in which 24 rockets were fired; and a total of 116 mortar
bombs were fired on 16 occasions, often in conjunction with rocket
or small arms fire. The level of bombing at a monthly average of
57 for 1974 represents a reduction since 1973 when the figure was
over 81 per month. Similarly, shooting incidents at a monthly
average of 267 show a decrease over 1973 when there were on average
418 shootings a month. Since January 1974 56 awards for
gallantry have been made to British forces personnel in Northern
Ireland.
34. The weakening of the terrorist forces in Belfast and
Jondonderry and the arrests of many of their leaders has forced
terrorist activities to be diverted to the rural and border areas,
where bombs and booby-traps have been used mainly against the
Security Forces.
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CONFIDENTIAL