CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
lawlessness, the Security Forces greatly undermined the
strength of, and support in the community for, the terrorist
The level of violence was significantly reduced
organisations.
and 1974 marked a period of steady progress in restoring
law and order.
These
41. During the year 1,367 people were arrested and charged with
offences of a terrorist nature, of which 155 related to murder or attempted
murder. 188 people were given Detention Orders under the Northern Ireland
(Fmergency Provisions) Act. 1,260 firearms, 150.000 rounds of
ammunition and nearly 24 tons of explosive were recovered.
successes were reflected in the gradual but significant reduction in
the nature and number of viclent incidents, particularly in the
large cities.
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 [74] awards for
gallantry have been made to British forces personnel in Northern
Ireland.
There were 16 rocket attacks by the Provisional
forced
42. The weakening of the terrorist forces in Belfast and
Londonderry and the arrests of many of their leaders
terrorist activities to be diverted to the rural and border areas,
where bombs and booby-traps
Security Porces.
were
used mainly against the
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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL