PSNI Chief Simon Byrne warned of the potential of public disorder linked to dissident republicans over the Easter period in Northern Ireland.

This development came after the recent MI5 decision to raise Northern Ireland’s terrorism threat level to severe.

Mr Byrne has told a meeting of the Policing Board that the trouble could involve an attempt to draw officers into gun or bomb attacks.

Mr Byrne said the PSNI has made temporary changes to shifts to put more officers onto frontline duties.

Investigation on the recent gun attack ongoing

In February, senior detective John Caldwell suffered life-changing injuries when he was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone.

Police believe the dissident republican group the New IRA was behind the attack on the off-duty officer.

In his latest report to the Policing Board, Mr Byrne said Det Ch Insp John Caldwell remains in a “poorly condition” in hospital.

The chief constable revealed that the PSNI has created a “bespoke CCTV viewing hub” as part of the investigation into the attempted murder.

The hub is staffed by 30 detectives who are “working through upwards of 100,000 hours of CCTV obtained through our enquiries”.

Mr Byrne also gave some more details about the extent of the investigation in to the gun attack, confirming that:

15 arrests have been made, three of which related to a claim of responsibility for the shooting

22 searches of premises and land have been conducted to date

More than 300 witnesses have been spoken to by PSNI officers

Biden’s visit to further strain the resources

Mr Byrne also said resources would be further challenged by the visit of US President Joe Biden next week.

About 300 officers will be drafted in from other UK forces to help out.

The cost of the security operation around the presidential visit, Good Friday Agreement events and Easter has been put at £7m.

(Source: BBC)