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06/11/2002
Report recommends sweeping Special Branch changes
A report delivered to the Policing Board has recommended the setting up of a new intelligence branch within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Dan Crompton, containing eleven recommendations was presented to the Policing Board during a meeting with Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Wednesday.
The major review focused on intelligence operations and the handling of information within Special Branch and how this is shared within the wider Police Service.
Mr Crompton said that a priority was the implementation of the National Criminal Intelligence Service model at all levels and that this should be supported by a policing implementation plan.
The report follows on from scathing criticism of the handling of police intelligence relating to the Omagh bombing in August 1998, which left 29 people dead.
The role of Special Branch in the run-up to Omagh was strongly criticised in a report authored by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan after it emerged that police were warned 11 days in advance of the Real IRA atrocity but information was never passed to officers on the ground, and in particular to the local divisional police commander.
As with the Police Ombudsman's report, the HM Inspector's report also highlighted a failure to implement previous recommendations made on Special Branch policies and operational practices.
A recent documentary by Channel 4 also alleged that security forces had received information on at least four occasions indicating that a major bomb attack by the Real IRA was imminent.
(SP/AMcE)
The report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Dan Crompton, containing eleven recommendations was presented to the Policing Board during a meeting with Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Wednesday.
The major review focused on intelligence operations and the handling of information within Special Branch and how this is shared within the wider Police Service.
Mr Crompton said that a priority was the implementation of the National Criminal Intelligence Service model at all levels and that this should be supported by a policing implementation plan.
The report follows on from scathing criticism of the handling of police intelligence relating to the Omagh bombing in August 1998, which left 29 people dead.
The role of Special Branch in the run-up to Omagh was strongly criticised in a report authored by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan after it emerged that police were warned 11 days in advance of the Real IRA atrocity but information was never passed to officers on the ground, and in particular to the local divisional police commander.
As with the Police Ombudsman's report, the HM Inspector's report also highlighted a failure to implement previous recommendations made on Special Branch policies and operational practices.
A recent documentary by Channel 4 also alleged that security forces had received information on at least four occasions indicating that a major bomb attack by the Real IRA was imminent.
(SP/AMcE)
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