A policeman forced from his home by dissident republican threats on his life must not be used as a pawn in a political push for extra funds, the North's First Minister said today.

The number of people being forced from their homes in the North fell dramatically last year, according to figures released by the British government today.

THE cost of providing safe houses for people facing death threats from Northern paramilitaries has sent the cost of protection schemes operated by the British authorities spiralling.