Tag: Policeman

  • UK: Bomb under policeman’s car

    UK: Bomb under policeman’s car

    A viable bomb placed under a serving police officer’s car in Belfast was a murder attempt by dissident republican paramilitaries, the police have said.

    The unexploded device was discovered on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

    Army bomb disposal officers have been called to deal with the device and have carried out a controlled explosion.

    The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the bomb was “clearly intended to kill the police officer”.

    Evacuated

    In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: “It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured.

    “Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer’s car sometime in the last 48 hours.”

    ACC Hamilton added that the officer’s family and neighbours “were also put at risk of serious harm”.

    A number of houses in the area have been evacuated. The nearby Stormont Presbyterian Church has been opened for residents forced to leave their homes.

    The Upper Newtownards Road has been closed to traffic between the Knock Road junction and Cabin Hill Park.

    ACC Hamilton added: “Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within dissident republicanism.

    “They don’t care who they attack, they don’t care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing.”

    Booby-trap

    In recent years, dissident republican paramilitary groups have carried out a number of attacks on PSNI officers.

    In April 2011, Constable Ronan Kerr was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone.

    The previous year, Constable Peadar Heffron lost a leg in a similar attack as he drove to work in Randalstown, County Antrim.

    The SDLP’s spokesperson on policing, Conall McDevitt, condemned the latest attack, describing it as a “cynical and deplorable act”.

    He said: “Those seeking to target police officers are undermining not only the stated will of the people of Ireland who have long since rejected violence, but also the desire for a new beginning for policing in the north, which is shared by the majority of citizens.”

    Mr McDevitt urged anyone with information about the attack to contact the PSNI.

    ‘Cowardly act’

    Robin Newton from the DUP said the attack was an attempt to murder.

    “Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow,” the East Belfast MLA said.

    “I pay tribute to the PSNI officers and the bomb squad officers who risked their lives to make the area safe, not only for the intended victim but all who live in close proximity,” Mr Newton said.

    The Alliance MLA for the area, Chris Lyttle, said: “My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the family directly affected by this cowardly act.”

    “I’d also give my full support to every serving PSNI officer working to uphold the rule of law at this difficult time,” he added.

     

     

     

     

    BBC

  • UK: Policeman charged with sex offences

    UK: Policeman charged with sex offences

    Nothinghamshire policeA high-ranking police officer has been charged with sexual offences against a child, his force said.

    Inspector Russell Dew from Nottinghamshire Police is accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child which are alleged to have taken place in Newark, Notts, over the past year.

    The 44-year-old, who is based at Mansfield police station, was arrested on Thursday.

    He will appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Nottinghamshire Police said.

    Press Association

     

  • Policeman dies after car-bomb attack

    Policeman dies after car-bomb attack

    Suspected republican hardliners killed a police officer with a car bomb in Omagh on Saturday afternoon.

    No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but police and politicians blamed Irish Republican Army dissidents who are believed to have been planting bombs underneath off-duty Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers’ private cars.

    Until Saturday such booby-trap attacks had badly maimed two PSNI officers but had not killed anyone.

    PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott paid tribute to his colleague, who has been named as Ronan Kerr.

    “We have lost one of our brave and courageous police recruits, someone who joined this fine service simply to do good, joined to serve the community impartially and to be someone I describe as a modern-day hero,” he said.

    Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD condemned those responsible for Saturday’s bomb attack and sent his condolences to Mr Kerr’s family.

    Mr Adams said that Sinn Fein was “determined that those responsible will not set back the progress of the peace and political process.”

    Morning Star Online