Threats made to the families of serving PSNI officers and staff has been slammed as 'despicable', from across the political spectrum.
Dissident republican group Arm na Poblachta (ANP) made the threats in a statement to the Irish News with the PSNI subsequently informing officers and civilian staff of the threat.
In their statement, ANP said that the families of officers are now being treated as "legitimate targets".
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It is understood that this threat does not include the children of officers.
Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Department Mark McEwan said: “We are taking this threat message seriously and have reminded all officers and staff of their personal safety and security both on and off duty.
“This is a sickening attempt to terrorise our officers and staff. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will not be deterred from delivering a visible and impartial policing service to all communities.”
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank-and-file officers in the region, condemned the threat.
“The deplorable threat issued by dissident republican thugs to police families marks an escalation in their pathetic rhetoric,” said PFNI chairman Liam Kelly.
“These people, and whoever else collaborates with them in their murderous cabal, point to the bankruptcy of their position.
“They are without purpose, other than to kill and maim officers and now, it seems, their families. They are trying hard to find relevance when they are being shunned.
“Threatening police officers and their families is despicable. Officers work on behalf of everybody without fear or favour. And their families make big sacrifices so that officers can continue to safeguard communities and counter the reckless and profit-inspired gangsters who deliver misery.
“We must work together to rid Northern Ireland of the scourge of paramilitarism and gangsterism, and I would appeal for an all-out community effort to do just that.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said threats are ‘despicable’ and called for the group to disband.
“Reports that the ‘Arm na Poblachta’ group has issued threats to the families of police officers is absolutely despicable," he said.
“They should publicly withdraw these disgraceful threats, any other threats against police officers, and any intended attacks against anyone. They should pack up and go. There is no place for these groups in our communities.
“Anyone with information on the people behind these threats should pass it on to the police.”
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the Party’s lead representative on the Policing Board Trevor Clarke MLA condemned the threats.
Sir Jeffrey said: “It is hard to comprehend the mindset of those who would issue a threat against the families of our police officers. No one should face such a threat because of their career and neither should their family. I know the whole community will stand united against those who would seek to drag us back.
"Those responsible for such threats must be brought to justice and it underscores the need to support the PSNI, both vocally and by pressing the Government to tackle the budget shortfall within policing.”
South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke added: “This is outrageous and a new low. People are called terrorists because their objective is to create fear. The reason they target police officers and now their families is an attempt to scare people into their mindset.
"These terrorists should realise that the IRA tried to scare people for thirty years and failed. They will not succeed either.
"Most people in Northern Ireland want to move forward free from terrorism.
"Our thoughts are with the police as they serve the public.”
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