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06/01/2005
Chief Constable to comment on Northern Bank robbery
Speculation is rife that the IRA is to be blamed for last month's £22 million robbery at the headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast.
PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, and ACC Crime Operations, Sam Kinkaid, will brief the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Policing Board on the ongoing investigation into the robbery on Friday.
The BBC today said it is likely that Mr Orde will “point the finger” at the IRA for the robbery which took place at the Northern Bank headquarters on 20 December.
Commenting ahead of Friday's discussions, Policing Board Chairman, Sir Desmond Rea said those behind the robbery needed to be caught and prosecuted.
"The role of the Policing Board is to hold the Chief Constable to account,” Sir Desmond said. “As such, I have been briefed on developments by PSNI since the raid took place, and tomorrow's meeting with the Vice-Chairman and myself is just the latest briefing.”
Police have said that finding the van used to transport the cash was still a priority and that a team of 45 detectives has examined hundreds of hours of CCTV coverage taken from throughout Northern Ireland.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would not prejudge the result of police inquiries into the raid but again warned that any groups linked to political parties must “renounce terrorism and cease criminal activity”.
Meanwhile, Security Minister Ian Pearson today highlighted the obligations on professional advisors to report suspicious financial activity in the wake of the robbery.
Speaking after a routine meeting with representatives of the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants, Mr Pearson said: "The robbery of the Northern Bank in the run up to Christmas was carried out by committed criminals with no thought for the impact on their innocent victims.
“The perpetrators of this crime will be seeking ways of disposing of the proceeds of the robbery and I call on the financial community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in line with established practice.”
(MB/SP)
PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, and ACC Crime Operations, Sam Kinkaid, will brief the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Policing Board on the ongoing investigation into the robbery on Friday.
The BBC today said it is likely that Mr Orde will “point the finger” at the IRA for the robbery which took place at the Northern Bank headquarters on 20 December.
Commenting ahead of Friday's discussions, Policing Board Chairman, Sir Desmond Rea said those behind the robbery needed to be caught and prosecuted.
"The role of the Policing Board is to hold the Chief Constable to account,” Sir Desmond said. “As such, I have been briefed on developments by PSNI since the raid took place, and tomorrow's meeting with the Vice-Chairman and myself is just the latest briefing.”
Police have said that finding the van used to transport the cash was still a priority and that a team of 45 detectives has examined hundreds of hours of CCTV coverage taken from throughout Northern Ireland.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would not prejudge the result of police inquiries into the raid but again warned that any groups linked to political parties must “renounce terrorism and cease criminal activity”.
Meanwhile, Security Minister Ian Pearson today highlighted the obligations on professional advisors to report suspicious financial activity in the wake of the robbery.
Speaking after a routine meeting with representatives of the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants, Mr Pearson said: "The robbery of the Northern Bank in the run up to Christmas was carried out by committed criminals with no thought for the impact on their innocent victims.
“The perpetrators of this crime will be seeking ways of disposing of the proceeds of the robbery and I call on the financial community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in line with established practice.”
(MB/SP)
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