More TV surveillance possible to identify Belfast rioters
More TV surveillance may be introduced in a bid to identify rioters in flashpoint north Belfast, it emerged today.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced possible plans to extend the scheme following some of the worst sectarian violence in the city in years.
Further CCTV units could be installed in trouble spots if a system introduced in the Ardoyne district of the city yielded results, she explained.
The minister said: ‘‘If this system proves successful there is the potential for a wider application across north Belfast and I fully intend to keep a careful eye on the effect the camera has on the security situation in this area.
‘‘It’s my hope it will prove so effective in helping police to manage the situation that we will find it will have uses elsewhere.’’
The new temporary surveillance camera has been mounted at the top of a secured pole in the Ardoyne, close to where rioting linked to the Holy Cross Primary School dispute erupted last year.
Pictures are monitored from a north Belfast police station which Ms Kennedy visited today.
The move comes as a poster campaign depicting 30 people suspected of serious rioting in the city begins to bear fruit.
Police have circulated photographs of the suspects within communities ravaged by bitter street fighting in the hope that people will identify the culprits.
After meeting senior officers Ms Kennedy said: ‘‘I thought it was a very interesting development and I believe there have already been a number of phone calls to police responding to the photographs.’’
The minister dismissed concerns that those pictured on the posters from both nationalist and loyalist communities may have had their human rights infringed.
‘‘I’m satisfied that the actions police have taken are perfectly proper,’’ Ms Kennedy said. ‘‘The evidence will have to be presented and the photos are an important part of that.’’
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