Put brake on RUC reforms, urges Dodds

The brakes should be applied on the Government’s police reforms in the light of criticism of them by a senior RUC officer, an anti-Good Friday Agreement unionist claimed today.

Democratic Unionist MLA Nigel Dodds called on Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid to halt the reform package after Belfast Special Branch chief Bill Lowry claimed the force was ‘‘being robbed of its soul’’.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lowry told the Superintendents’ Association in Northern Ireland’s conference in Templepatrick the under-resourced force was facing an uphill struggle to combat paramilitary activity.

Mr Lowry identified several issues he felt would plague the new Police Service of Northern Ireland when it replaces the RUC later this year, including:

:: Growing dissident republican activity, loyalist violence and racketeering

:: A likelihood that the marching season will erupt into violence

:: Failure to depoliticise policing

:: Police stations being closed too early in a bid to slash costs

:: Cuts in personnel causing delays and reductions in service.

Mr Dodds said it was clear from Mr Lowry’s comments the implementation of the Patten reforms was ‘‘severely undermining the operational effectiveness of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and leaving the community in the grip of the paramilitaries’’.

‘There aren’t enough men,’’ the North Belfast MLA noted.

‘‘There isn’t enough money and there is no political will at the Northern Ireland Office to support the police taking resolute action to end the terrorists’ crime spree.’’

The DUP Assemblyman said he was sceptical of Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid’s promise to provide all the necessary resources to maintain law and order.

‘‘If John Reid isn’t providing enough money now, why should anyone believe that he will deliver more in the future?’’ he asked.

‘‘Does anyone really believe that policing in Northern Ireland will be at the top of the Treasury’s priorities after the election when they will be trying to take money away from Northern Ireland to give to the English regions?

‘‘The reality of the situation is that John Reid yesterday delivered £35m to finance the delivery of the Patten Report - to pay off more officers and put us in an even worse position.

‘‘He is scaling down the police force in the face of an increasing terrorist threat, regardless of the consequence for the law-abiding citizens of Northern Ireland.’’