Almost 2,000 vehicles stopped at security checkpoints in two weeks
Almost 2,000 vehicles have been stopped at checkpoints designed to thwart dissident republicans in Belfast, police said.
Anti-peace process extremists have launched a wave of attacks, attempting to bomb a city centre car park close to one of Northern Ireland’s main police stations and its central courts complex.
They have also sent letter bombs to senior police commanders and shot at patrols during a pre-Christmas surge in the number of attempts to kill.
Police have established more than 300 checkpoints during the busy pre-Christmas season but traders said signs were promising for a profitable festive period.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said: “Our vehicle checkpoints are much more sporadic (than during the Troubles) but it is also unpredictable.
“The checkpoints are much shorter in length but they also have a significant deterrent effect so we achieve a greater balance between public reassurance and protection.”
Shots were fired at police patrols in north and west Belfast over recent days. Vehicles and equipment were sprayed with 10 bullets from a military-grade weapon as they passed the Ardoyne area.
Recently a driver was forced to transport an explosive device to Victoria Square shopping centre car park in Belfast. The detonator exploded but failed to set off the main bomb.
Police have organised 323 checkpoints, where cars may be stopped and their contents and drivers screened.
A total of 1,784 vehicles have been stopped between November 25 and December 10.
Mr McCrum said that had not impacted on the commercial life of the city.
Senior commanders have said the threat from dissidents remains severe. They have killed two police officers, two soldiers and a prison officer in recent years.
Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: “There is a threat coming from dissident republican groups to the city centre and wider provincial towns.
“The only aim of terrorism is to cause disruption.”
