RUC Special Branch may be halved

The RUC’s Special Branch could be slashed in half by next month as part of the British Government’s revised proposals on policing reform in the North.

Northern Secretary John Reid revealed details of the new reforms today.

The new implementation plan also accepts that the RUC full-time reserve should be phased out over a three-year period.

The document has revised all 175 recommendations made in the independent Patten Report on fair and accountable policing in the North.