Dissident republicans threaten traffic wardens

Traffic wardens have been temporarily withdrawn from west Belfast after a reported threat from dissident republicans.

Their union and local politicians have condemned the threat and meetings are being planned to review the problem.

The police told the traffic warden service late last week of the threat in predominantly Catholic west Belfast, and staff were withdrawn.

The roads service said they had no idea why they'd been threatened and that traffic wardens performed a very useful function.

The wardens' union says its members impartially serve all sections of the community.

DUP assembly member Robin Newton said that, during the Troubles, the police had felt unable to enforce the law on driving, parking and TV licences in nationalist areas because of a perceived threat.

It was unfair then, he said, and totally unacceptable now.