Police come under fire during estate search

Dissident republicans are being blamed for a gun attack on police in Northern Ireland.

No one was hurt when gunmen opened fire on officers searching houses at an estate in Downpatrick, Co Down.

Officers were carrying out searches of the staunchly nationalist Model Farm estate during investigations of serious crime by rogue republicans in the area when the shots were fired.

Two men dressed in black emerged from an entry and fired up to five shots at officers in what appears to have been a spontaneous attack.

But Stephen White, the assistant chief constable for south region, warned the violent campaign seemed to have been stepped up.

"The threat is high and it seems to be increasing," he said. "It's part of a cycle of violence with republican terrorists whether they are dissidents or not."

Mr McGrady urged the police to step up their efforts to catch the terrorists, but accepted they needed help.

He said: "It is a matter for the local community, in partnership, and in working with the police to prevent such attacks taking place. It is important that we act together to prevent an escalation of this violence in our local community with its potential for death."

The area's SDLP MP, Eddie McGrady, claimed a hardline terrorist unit had been set up in the town.

He said: "It seems to indicate some sort of intrusion of a cell of dissident republicans."