A senior SDLP delegation has met with police commanders from Belfast and the North regions and the Security minister in order to discuss the current sectarian threats and level of arrests and prosecutions.

An SDLP delegation met with the Security Minister Jane Kennedy on Tuesday morning and later met with Assistant Chief Constables for Belfast and North regions at Police Headquarters.

Speaking before the meeting Alex Attwood said: “Due to the particular level of threats in places like Belfast, Larne and Coleraine, the SDLP is meeting the most senior Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in those regions, Assistant Chief Constables McQuillan and Kincaid. The community is exasperated at the continuing sectarian attacks and the low levels of detection, arrests and prosecution of those involved and directing the attacks.”

Mr Attwood added that the meeting would cover why individuals, believed amongst credible sources to be involved or directing the attacks, are not being pursued and prosecuted. He stressed that those who are found responsible for the attacks should be subject to the “full rigours of the law”.

Meanwhile another SDLP delegation met with Jane Kennedy in order to discuss policing matters. Joe Byrne, SDLP assembly member for West Tyrone, said they would pressing the minister to address changes made to the Special Branch, as recommended by Patten. Mr Byrne said: “The SDLP are to press the minister on the implementation of lateral entry legislation, the research programme on plastic bullets and changes agreed to Special Branch. These matters are central to the new beginning particularly Special Branch. The recent concerns about the conduct and culture of Special Branch confirm the urgency of implementing all of the Patten changes to Special Branch and other changes to ensure that the nature of Special Branch respects human rights is accountable and is integrated into democratic policing.” (AMcE)