Dissident republicans may be planning to use Joe Biden's visit to try and "grab a headline" with disorder and attacks on police expected on Easter Monday, an MP has suggested.
The PSNI has said it is braced for "public disorder" that could be used as "a platform to launch terrorist attacks" in Derry on Easter Monday.
Police have in recent years come under attack in rioting following Easter Monday commemoration events linked to dissident republicans in Derry.
Read more: PSNI braced for 'public disorder' to 'launch terrorist attacks' on Easter Monday
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said there is "very strong community intelligence" that there may be attempts to lure police in "to serious public disorder" that could be used as a "platform to launch terrorist attacks on police as well."
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, speaking to Belfast Live, suggested dissident republicans may be planning to capitalise on US President Joe Biden's visit to Ireland - and the media attention that will bring - by launching attacks on police.
SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, meanwhile, called for "proportionate" policing to counter what he described as the "characerisation of the [police] service as 'imperial crown forces' coming down hard on nationalists" from dissident republican groups.
Mr Campbell said: "Most people will remember the Lyra McKee murder which also happened at Easter time. It was the day before Good Friday, so we have these comments from the PSNI coming - maybe not to the date but to the day - four years later.
"The point is that at Easter time these last few years there has been an increase in tensions and a life lost on one occasion. On other occasions there has been severe rioting as a result of people trying to use that opportunity to raise tensions. It looks as if though that is what they are trying to do again."
On the visit of the US President, Mr Campbell said: "This is just a guess on my part but it may well be that with Joe Biden coming, there will be increased publicity on any attacks.
"It could well be that they will deliberately time it this year to increase publicity because the world's media will be either here on en route here. Therefore, if you wanted an opportunity to grab a headline across the world, this would be it. Now, the police hasn't said that but my guess is that is at least part of the thinking."
He continued: "It boils down to the public needing to support the police and give whatver information they have.
"These things don't get organised overnight. People don't simply turn up and then a riot ensues. This normally takes some form of planning, whether it's petrol bombs, or some form of rubble to throw at police, or getting young people orchestrated into different areas. There is a series of organisational things that have to be undertaken and it would appear that police are aware of that given that Singleton has made these comments.
"We all need to be very, very aware of what is possibly about to happen and ensure that police get the support they need to try and stop it."
Mr Durkan, a member of the policing board, said: "I fully recognise the seriousness of the situation facing our police officers and the vast, vast majority of people I speak with on a daily basis, stand with the PSNI at this time of increased danger and risk. However, in order to maximise the effectiveness of policing, we have to maximise the support for and acceptance of the PSNI in order to combat groups that control communities here.
“These so-called republican groups will do all they can to undermine policing and the characterisation of the service as ‘imperial crown forces’ coming down hard on nationalists. To counter that argument, it is absolutely essential that investigations and enquiries are seen to be carried out with proportionality and equity.
“I fully appreciate that any immediate threat to life calls for urgent action and remain hopeful that efforts will be made to ensure care is taken in their approach to dealing with danger within communities. Effective policing is contingent on improving and deepening good relationships with the public.”
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