Decision soon on security cameras plan

The Northern Ireland Security Minister will decide within days whether to go ahead with a police plan to erect a mass of security cameras in strike-torn north Belfast, it was confirmed today.

Police have submitted plans to her for the provision of 18 CCTV cameras at flashpoint areas in a part of Belfast which has seen clashes between loyalists and republicans on an almost daily basis for much of the last year.

The minister Jane Kennedy met the Police Service Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn earlier this month to discuss the situation in the area.

The Northern Ireland Office said today she had now received a report she had asked police for and was taking ‘‘urgent advice’’ on it and would announce a decision within days.

The plan for the CCTV cameras - there are currently just two on the Ardoyne Road where much of the trouble has been centred - was revealed yesterday by the newly-appointed police district commander for north Belfast, Chief Superintendent Julie Lindsay.

She has set up a special police unit in the area which today began studying video footage from the Ardoyne cameras and other film shot from police vehicles in a concerted drive to identify, arrest and charge those responsible.

A sergeant and eight constables will work full time for the next month on the project.

Chief Superintendent Lindsay said: ‘‘People who have been involved in riots can expect to face the consequences.’’

The drive began after weekend rioting during which four police officers and a soldier were injured.

One policeman was seriously injured when a car drove at police lines, knocked him down and dragged him 250 yards along the road.

In fresh trouble last night three people were arrested and one police officer injured - bringing to 604 the number hurt in riots in the area in the past 10 months.