Personal protection weapons still required
14 December 2007
Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:
It is becoming increasingly clear to me that the PSNI has made a policy decision probably under political direction to radically reduce the number of Personal Protection Weapons held in Northern Ireland. Hence, in recent weeks I have had several ex members of the security forces complain that their weapons have been removed upon application for renewal of their certificates.
With republicans still active, as evidenced by recent attacks and threats, I believe this to be a retrograde and premature step. The danger is that as attacks fail on serving security personnel there could be a renewed focus on the softer targets of ex-members. Hence the folly of leaving them defenceless.
