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Paramilitary threats 'force police to move home' Threats 'force police to move home', says PSNI
(about 7 hours later)
About 20 police officers are forced to move home every year because of threats from paramilitaries, a senior police officer has said. About 16 police officers either move home or have special security measures installed at their house every year because they are under threat.
Dep Ch Const Drew Harris said the threats were predominately from dissident republicans, but also from loyalist paramilitaries. The average figures since 2010 were confirmed by the PSNI.
"There is a steady drumbeat of that," Mr Harris said. They came after a senior police officer said officers were coming under threat predominately from dissident republicans, but also from loyalist paramilitaries.
"We could expect every month one or two officers to be in the position where they're having to move home." "There is a steady drumbeat of that," Det Ch Const Drew Harris said.
He added: "Looking over the last five years, we could expect 20 officers per annum to have to move home." "We could expect every month one or two officers to be in the position where they're having to move home." he told the BBC's Nolan Show.
Elements of loyalist paramilitaries were heavily involved in crime, he added. The figures released by the PSNI indicated that an average of seven officers had been moved after being threatened since 2010.
"Obviously they come into conflict with officers who are enforcing the law," Mr Harris told the BBC's Nolan Show. On average, nine officers were also admitted into the PSNI Home Security Aid scheme per year. The scheme involves security features, such as reinforced doors, cameras and security lights, being installed at the homes of officers.
"That's a consequence of us doing our job in terms of protecting this society." Meanwhile, an investigation by the BBC's Nolan Show found that mental health-related absence within the PSNI had increased by almost 40% in four years.
Meanwhile, mental health related absence within the PSNI had increased by almost 40% in four years, an investigation by the Nolan Show has found.
Mr Harris said this created huge upheaval.Mr Harris said this created huge upheaval.
A threat a dayA threat a day
Last month, the PSNI said it was working hard to bring those carrying out paramilitary shootings to court after the number of such attacks doubled in the last year.Last month, the PSNI said it was working hard to bring those carrying out paramilitary shootings to court after the number of such attacks doubled in the last year.
Twenty-eight paramilitary-style shootings were recorded in 2016-17, with republicans believed to be responsible for 25 and loyalists for the other three.Twenty-eight paramilitary-style shootings were recorded in 2016-17, with republicans believed to be responsible for 25 and loyalists for the other three.
A further 66 people were the victims of paramilitary-style assaults, police said.A further 66 people were the victims of paramilitary-style assaults, police said.
In February, it was revealed that police in Northern Ireland deal with one paramilitary death threat against a member of the community each day.In February, it was revealed that police in Northern Ireland deal with one paramilitary death threat against a member of the community each day.
Last month, the leader of Northern Ireland's largest party said all paramilitary groups should disband.Last month, the leader of Northern Ireland's largest party said all paramilitary groups should disband.
Asked if the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) should disband immediately, Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster said: "There should be no paramilitary organisations."Asked if the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) should disband immediately, Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster said: "There should be no paramilitary organisations."