PSNI in punishment attack crackdown
The PSNI is about to launch a major crackdown on gangs carrying out so-called punishment attacks, UTV can reveal.
Dissident republicans are responsible for the bulk of shootings and beatings.
But now more resources are being pumped into trying to put these terrorists behind bars.
A confidential hotline will be set up, past cases reviewed and officers will unite with community leaders to send out a clear message that the attacks are not wanted.
Chief Constable Matt Baggott told UTV: “People are really getting involved in policing in a way that’s unprecedented…becoming relevant to peoples’ lives in a way that we haven’t been able to do before.”
The police chief described the groups as “deeply, deeply dangerous,” before adding that they “are utterly committed to murder.”
He said the reason why punishment attacks take place is because the perpetrators want to keep their communities living in fear.
However, he said he couldn’t guarantee a police officer in every village because tens of thousands would be required.
“I think we will come to a point where the overwhelming community support for policing and the future means that these groups have very little space to breath.”
He added: “There are going to be other initiatives too around drug dealing, around the things that matter to people.”
The police chief said he would most of all like the politics to be taken out of policing so the force could “get on with things” and be trusted to do their jobs.
