§ 21. Ms MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to tackle sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. [149969]
§ Mr. IngramThe security forces are continuing to thwart sectarian attacks. Additional police patrols are being deployed in many areas including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. The military are acting in support of the police where appropriate. Recent successes include the discovery this month, of what are believed to be a number of loyalist pipe bomb making facilities in Larne, Belfast and Newtownabbey. A number of people have been charged as a result of these operations and other individuals are being sought.
I am confident that the police are doing all that they can to prevent these attacks and to bring those responsible to justice.
§ 26. Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of the RUC regarding additional policing within estates which have been subjected to gun, petrol or pipe-bomb attack in recent months. [149974]
§ Mr. IngramThe Secretary of State discusses a broad range of issues with the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on a regular basis. He is confident that the Chief Constable is taking all possible measures to tackle incidents of violent crime in the Province.
There has been an increase in the police patrolling profile in those areas subject to attacks of the nature described in the question. Both overt and covert police operations have increased. In addition, Mobile Support Units and military resources have also been deployed where this has been deemed necessary. The situation is kept under constant review.