Dissident Christmas Terror Campaign Feared

Retailers across Northern Ireland have been urged to step-up security procedures over the festive period, amid a heightened threat from dissident republicans.

It is feared terror groups will exploit increased footfall in towns and cities across the province by orchestrating a festive bombing campaign.

Police have warned traders to be on their guard, just weeks after the Real IRA planted a potentially deadly car bomb outside Policing Board headquarters in Belfast.

Security chiefs now believe around 700 dissident republicans are operating throughout the province.

A recent Independent Monitoring Commission report suggested terror groups were benefiting from the experience of former Provisional IRA members.

Yesterday several security alerts brought parts of Belfast city centre to a standstill.

Suspect devices were discovered outside Ulster Bank premises on the Lisburn and University Roads during the morning rush hour.

Traffic was disrupted in the area for almost two hours.

This followed weekend violence in the Creggan area of Londonderry, which saw scores of people take to the streets and pelt missiles at police.

A police spokesman said: "We would always urge retailers and business owners to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, to review security measures, and to check premises thoroughly before and after trading.

"Any suspicious object should not be handled - instead police should be contacted immediately."

(PR/BMcc)