More police officers and zero tolerance are required to wipe out Northern Ireland’s terrorist threat, according to the Police Federation.

Chairman Terry Spence has said an extra 1,000 officers should be recruited, while more maximum prison sentences should be imposed.

"Politicians standing shoulder to shoulder after each atrocity is a welcome signal of condemnation and steadfastness but it must lead to concerted action to bring the terrorist campaign to an end," he said.

"Unless we take the serious and effective steps of a policy of zero tolerance then the economic and political prospects of our new democracy will be worn down by attrition. That attrition is the death and serious injury, year in year out, of public servants who have dedicated their lives to the protection of this community."

He added: "Pretending that we are dealing with minuscule terrorist groups is simply self-deceiving wishful thinking."

Dissident activity has stepped up in recent years, the most recent act being the murder of prison officer David Black as he drove along the M1 on his way to work at Maghaberry.

"These people may be politically misguided lunatics but they have become a lethal force which needs a legally-based aggressive response from the Executive, the PSNI and the judiciary. More information and intelligence leading to convictions is needed from the wider community at all levels."

Mr Spence also said that L’Derry-based Republican Action Against Drugs should be outlawed, while loyalists who have broken the terms of their licence for early release from prison following the Good Friday Agreement should be recalled.

(IT)