North figures highlight fall in paramilitary evictions

The number of people being forced from their homes in the North fell dramatically last year, according to figures released by the British government today.

The figures showed that applications under the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED) fell to around 120 last year from 689 the previous year.

Under the SPED scheme, people under paramilitary threat who wish to relocate can apply to have their existing homes bought by the authorities for market value.