INVESTIGATIONS into UVF orchestion of flag violence are continuing and the paramilitary group’s ceasefire is constantly under reveiw , Mr Kerr said.
” Both myself and the chief constable have been unambiguously clear that there has been UVF involved in orchestrating some of this violence at any given time,” he said. ” There is significant differance between intelligence and evidence – we can’t arrest them on intelligence unless it reaches a certain theshold but people need understand there is a consequence and there are a number of investigations ongoing. ” Some of these people aren’t stupid either. They know just where the lines are between bein g culpable in terms of directing riots under public-order legislation.
” They know exactly what the thresholds are. So the fact that we know doesn’t mean it is a prosecutable offence that we can take to court. ” That might be frustrating for the public. It frustrates the life out of us aswell. ” We are always making continual assessments as to when and if intelligence reaches a certain theshold we have to consider whether we need to report to the Secretary of State. ” We haven’t made an assessment that it has got to that threshold at this stage but we keep it under constant review.”
Mr Kerr expressed concern that loyalist paramilitary groups were exploiting riots to recruit young people. He said ” Loyalist pparamilitary groups are very fractured – we certainly wouldn’t see a consistency in approach – but we are always concerned about young people. ” When you remember that the youngest person we arrested was 11, right up to 69, of course there is the potential that young disengaged, disenchanted and clarly angry young people are going to be ripe for recruitment by paramilitary groups. Particularly in certain areas.”
WITH MANY THANKS TO: IRISH NEWS
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