RUC officers in security alert

Information about senior officers could now be with IRA

More than 20 RUC officers have been told to move house after a superintendent's car containing a diary with their personal details inside was stolen, it has been reported.

The diary is thought to have been passed to the IRA and the lives of all those mentioned, among them a recently-retired assistant chief constable (ACC), are considered to be at risk, according to the London-based Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

The diary, which the newspaper says contained the names, stations and home telephone numbers of the former ACC and 21 chief inspectors and inspectors, was reported to have been left inside a superintendent's car while he went shopping.

It was said to be in a briefcase in the car, which was stolen from the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, five weeks ago.

Car burned out

The car was later found burned out in the nationalist Poleglass estate in west Belfast, according to the newspaper.

Ulster Unionist Party security spokesman Ken Maginnis said: "If this story is true, then this is a serious breach of discipline by a senior officer and is not something that can be easily overlooked or forgiven."

An RUC spokeswoman would only say: "We do not discuss matters relating to the personal security of any individual."

It is reported that a number of officers have already changed address and are entitled to a relocation grant.

The incident could cost up to £2m in relocation grants.

Those who decide not to move could claim a £50,000 security package.

The IRA says it is observing a ceasefire called in 1997.

However, dissident republicans, many who are former members of the IRA, have carried out a number of recent attacks on security force installations.

They oppose the IRA's current strategy in the Northern Ireland peace process.