Catholic construction workers in Derry were today put on a state of high alert amid fears of attack from loyalist paramilitaries.
Chief Supt Stuart Tosh urged all workmen to be on their guard after his officers obtained intelligence that loyalists were planning to attack people from as many as 40 building sites.
The most vulnerable are believed to be those sites in Protestant areas in the city.
Patrols by members of the security forces were being stepped up today in places where construction workers were understood to be most in danger.
SDLP Assembly member Ms Annie Courtney condemned the threats which she said had to be taken seriously. "We had an attack on a Catholic workman in the Waterside area only over a week ago," she told BBC Radio Foyle.
"We all condemned it but we now have this further threat which I have spoken to police about and they are taking it very seriously".
Mr Gregory Campbell of the DUP said the loyalist death threats could not be condoned. He urged the British government to be careful not to exacerbate the situation.
"Anyone who engages in threats like this has to be condemned, and people have to ask the question why are they doing it?" he said.
PA