Northern Ireland security threat ‘still high’
Irish dissidents are presenting Britain’s security services with a growing threat, it has been claimed.
The Guardian newspaper quotes security sources as saying more electronic intercepts of suspicious activities are received from republican extremists than any other radical groups in the UK.
It says 80 terrorists may be planning attacks at present and that the areas affected are not limited to Greater Belfast. Counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh are all the subject of increased attention.
“It is as high as it has been in my time in the service,” Northern Ireland police chief Sir Hugh Orde told the Guardian.
“Significant efforts are ongoing to tackle the threat. The aim where possible, is to arrest those involved, charge them and bring them to court and to date over 30 people have been arrested this year.”
