The Fifth Report sets out the Commission’s assessment of progress to date on the implementation of the provisions of the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement that are designed to tackle paramilitary activity and associated criminality, with the aim of bringing an end to paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.

P.61 Respondents were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “Paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour in this area.” [see figure in report].

P.67 Young people were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: ‘Paramilitary groups contribute to crime, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour.’

P.74 Risk taking - Some risk taking behaviours, while somewhat normative and even developmentally appropriate, can increase vulnerabilities to paramilitary harms. Almost two thirds of young people indicated that they would use alcohol within the next month (63.2%); over one-third suggested that they would be involved in a fight in the next month (35.3%); and more than one-fifth reported the intention to use drugs within the next month (21.4%). Interestingly there was significant variation across the areas. There were significant reductions in self-reported intent to engage in violence. Whilst 41.4% of young people reported an intention to engage in fighting at baseline, this reduced to only 3.3% at endpoint.