The RUC is closing in on the criminals responsible for a spate of pipe bomb attacks in Northern Ireland, Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan claimed today.
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| Sir Ronnie Flanagan |
Around 50 pipe bomb attacks have been recorded since the start of the year, most of them directed at Catholic targets.
"We have upped the levels of our patrolling, we have made appeals for public support, we have made many seizures of these devices, and we are increasing our covert activity as well. So I would certainly feel that the net is closing around these people," Sir Ronnie said.
He said the majority of the pipe bomb incidents were carried out by members of the Ulster Defence Association, but that did not necessarily mean the organisation itself was consciously breaching its ceasefire.
"It is difficult to make straightforward assumptions. Just because members of that organisation are involved, it doesn't mean that at the centre there is direction and control of this despicable activity," said Sir Ronnie.
He also raised the issue of policing levels in the North, claiming the RUC needed an urgent injection of manpower.
"I'm very worried about the number of officers who are leaving, and I'm going to have that difficulty for the next couple of years, which is why we are moving ahead to place a contract with an independent civilian recruitment agency.
"We hope to advertise in the very near future for new recruits and I need those new recruits on the street absolutely as quickly as possible."
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