Sinn Féin urged to play part in policing

Sinn Féin was today urged to play its full part in policing in the wake of the British government’s demilitarisation plans for Northern Ireland.

Following Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain’s announcement that the British government aims to reduce troop levels in the province to 5,000 soldiers and defortify police stations over two years, Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde confirmed work will begin this week on the removal of an observation post at Divis Tower in Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams’s West Belfast constituency.