Call for police powers to be devolved

Devolution of policing powers to the Northern Assembly should proceed as soon as possible, the province’s chief police officer said today.

Chief constable Hugh Orde said politicians elected in the country should be taking decisions on law and order in line with the policing blueprint drawn up by Lord Patten in 1999.

Mr Hugh also urged republicans to join the policing structures as soon as possible.

The issue is crucial to political talks being held between the local parties in Scotland on Wednesday.

Sir Hugh told the BBC: “I think it just needs to happen, before or after (the St Andrew’s talks) is a matter for politicians.

“This deadline is a deadline and I think that’s a good thing because hopefully it will help focus minds.

“For me the next stage is that local government, because then you can see the real vision of pattern, which was devolution of policing to the local Assembly.”