Up to 100 police officers in Northern Ireland are to be redeployed to detective posts in Belfast as part of a plan to tackle crime there.
The plan was announced last night by the Police Service of Northern Irealand chief constable, Mr Hugh Orde, during a special programme for BBC's Cracking Crime.
Mr Orde told the programme a lack of resources, the threat from paramilitaries and sectarian violence at interface areas were undermining the effectiveness of community policing.
He said a small number of experienced officers, even only six or seven, would make a substantial difference. "I can only respond as quickly as the number of police I have on the streets," he said.
Mr Orde said he had to balance his resources in dealing with routine crime "against the extremely dangerous crimes where lives are at risk, terrorist crime".
Mr Orde, who took up his appointment earlier this month, said he is to advertise for extra officers to serve in Northern Ireland.
"I think there may be a number of officers who are trained already in other forces who may be prepared to come and work here," he said.