Increase in number of abortions in NI

There has been an increase in the number of abortions carried out in Northern Ireland, according to the latest official figures.

Statistics from the Department of Health show that in the year since March 2020, when the law was changed to allow terminations, there were almost 1,600 procedures.

That figure then rose to more than 2,100 between April 2022 and March 2023.

Of those, 60 abortions were carried out on those aged under 18.

Some 1,663 were carried out on those aged between 18 and 34 and 409 terminations on women aged over 35.

Abortion laws - which are a devolved matter - changed in Northern Ireland in 2020 after the government acted during the absence of a functioning Stormont assembly.

Since then the number of abortions taking place in health trusts has risen from 1574 in 2020 - 2021 to 2,168 last year.

The figures, released on Thursday, showed the breakdown of figures from each health trust in Northern Ireland between 2022 and 2023:

• Belfast Trust - 667
• Northern Trust - 527
• South Eastern Trust - 438
• Southern Trust - 415
• Western Trust - 76

Last year, laws creating "safe access zones" to stop anti-abortion protestors from gathering outside specific health clinics came into effect in Northern Ireland.

The zones can cover between 100m (328ft) and 250m (820ft) from entrances or exits of designated premises, and offenders can receive a fine of up to £500.