Troops in North ‘above peacetime target’

BRITISH troop levels in the North are three times higher than the peacetime target, a watchdog body confirmed yesterday.

Despite half of all spy towers being demolished in the last five years, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) found no real move towards establishing the 5,000-strong garrison due to operate after the terror threat is lifted.

Nearly 50% of army base closures needed to achieve the post-conflict level have also taken place, the assessment showed.