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UDA 'still involved in extortion' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Ulster Defence Association are "still significantly involved" in extortion rackets, a senior police officer has confirmed. | |
It comes a day after the government said it was to give £1.2m of public money to a project aimed at moving the UDA away from violence and crime. | It comes a day after the government said it was to give £1.2m of public money to a project aimed at moving the UDA away from violence and crime. |
Det Supt Esmond Adair of the PSNI's anti-extortion team said only 1-3% of extortion was reported to police. | Det Supt Esmond Adair of the PSNI's anti-extortion team said only 1-3% of extortion was reported to police. |
He said there was "significant evidence the UDA are involved in extortion". | He said there was "significant evidence the UDA are involved in extortion". |
"We have a number of successful operations carried out this year so far, where we have mounted three operations and 11 searches and 10 people have been arrested." | "We have a number of successful operations carried out this year so far, where we have mounted three operations and 11 searches and 10 people have been arrested." |
The officer told the BBC's Nolan Show that millions of pounds is being extorted by paramilitary groups. | The officer told the BBC's Nolan Show that millions of pounds is being extorted by paramilitary groups. |
It doesn't have to be paid - we have taken massive steps to encourage members of the construction industry and small businesses not to pay extortion Det Supt Esmond Adair | It doesn't have to be paid - we have taken massive steps to encourage members of the construction industry and small businesses not to pay extortion Det Supt Esmond Adair |
"We are very aware that extortion is rife in Northern Ireland," he said. | "We are very aware that extortion is rife in Northern Ireland," he said. |
"It is a vastly under-reported crime. We reckon that only 1-3% of extortion is actually reported to police." | "It is a vastly under-reported crime. We reckon that only 1-3% of extortion is actually reported to police." |
Det Supt Adair said the perception that victims who contacted police would be attacked was not the case. | Det Supt Adair said the perception that victims who contacted police would be attacked was not the case. |
"It is a very heavy burden for someone to take that first step forward, but when they do, we successfully prosecute those persons who are involved in extortion. | "It is a very heavy burden for someone to take that first step forward, but when they do, we successfully prosecute those persons who are involved in extortion. |
"In my six years in dealing with extortion, we have never had any reprisals." | "In my six years in dealing with extortion, we have never had any reprisals." |
The detective said some extortionists visited building sites and "give a price per unit" or a "price per contract". | The detective said some extortionists visited building sites and "give a price per unit" or a "price per contract". |
'Business plan' | 'Business plan' |
The police have seen cheques for as much as £100,000 being paid to extortionists, he said. | The police have seen cheques for as much as £100,000 being paid to extortionists, he said. |
"It doesn't have to be paid - we have taken massive steps to encourage members of the construction industry and small businesses not to pay extortion." | "It doesn't have to be paid - we have taken massive steps to encourage members of the construction industry and small businesses not to pay extortion." |
The PSNI have set up a new extortion helpline (02890922267). | The PSNI have set up a new extortion helpline (02890922267). |
It's madness - it's like the Americans handing the mafia £1m or £1bn to go away Building contractor | It's madness - it's like the Americans handing the mafia £1m or £1bn to go away Building contractor |
The £1.2 funding for the "UDA project" was announced by Social Development Minister David Hanson on Thursday. | The £1.2 funding for the "UDA project" was announced by Social Development Minister David Hanson on Thursday. |
The Ulster Political Research Group has spent the past six months drawing up a business plan to persuade the government to fund a 3-year project. | The Ulster Political Research Group has spent the past six months drawing up a business plan to persuade the government to fund a 3-year project. |
Mr Hanson said: "I expect that this additional support will deliver a quickening in pace of the work of the UPRG in their conflict transformation work that the latest IMC report identified was required." | Mr Hanson said: "I expect that this additional support will deliver a quickening in pace of the work of the UPRG in their conflict transformation work that the latest IMC report identified was required." |
The £1.2m will be used in six areas where the UDA has a strong presence, and to employ up to a dozen staff. | The £1.2m will be used in six areas where the UDA has a strong presence, and to employ up to a dozen staff. |
A developer who contacted the BBC's Nolan Show on Friday said he personally knew a contractor who was paying the UDA £700 a week in protection money. | A developer who contacted the BBC's Nolan Show on Friday said he personally knew a contractor who was paying the UDA £700 a week in protection money. |
"It is a big contract and by the time that site is finished, he will have paid £92,000. | "It is a big contract and by the time that site is finished, he will have paid £92,000. |
"This is going on as we speak. I had four men on that site at one time, and they were put off that site because of their religion. | "This is going on as we speak. I had four men on that site at one time, and they were put off that site because of their religion. |
A group working with the UDA is to get £1.2m of public money | A group working with the UDA is to get £1.2m of public money |
"The protection money is collected on a Friday and handed over in an envelope in cash." | "The protection money is collected on a Friday and handed over in an envelope in cash." |
He said the building foreman was "scared for his life". | He said the building foreman was "scared for his life". |
"They (the UDA) are taking about their areas being deprived - they have put their own people out of business. | "They (the UDA) are taking about their areas being deprived - they have put their own people out of business. |
"It is so corrupt in every shape and form, and then they (the government) turn round and give them a million quid. | "It is so corrupt in every shape and form, and then they (the government) turn round and give them a million quid. |
"It's madness - it's like the Americans handing the mafia £1m or £1bn to go away." | "It's madness - it's like the Americans handing the mafia £1m or £1bn to go away." |
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