THE PSNI HAS announced an increased focus on the prevention of terrorism in the run up to Christmas.

Speaking today, Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Operations, Will Kerr, said that he was anticipating a “strong possiblity” of activity in the run up to Christmas.

Last year there were incidents that involved a firebomb attack on Belfast’s Cornmarket, a car bomb at Victoria Square and an explosive device left in a holdall bag at Catherdral Quarter.

Speaking in Belfast today, Kerr said:

There has been a recent upsurge in terrorist activity with attacks in north Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane.

We are issuing a strong warning but we don’t want people to be scared. We want them to be vigilant, to work with us and to be patient whenever we have to deploy tactics such as checkpoints to frustrate terrorists and keep people safe.

The Assistant Chief Constable went on to urge the public to be vigilant at all times and to report any suspicious activity or suspicious-looking objects to the police.

Business 

It was also acknowledged that activity in the lead up to Christmas could result in disruption for business across the region to facilitate police activity.

Kerr outlined that this could involve the evacuation of buildings and public areas. There will also be a number of checkpoints put in place.

We want to do this by causing as little disruption as possible. But we also need to ensure that people with more sinister intent do not succeed in bringing devastation to our city centre and to other towns and cities in Northern Ireland.

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