Police warning over firebombs

A device was discovered in a sports shop last year

Businesses in Northern Ireland have been warned of the risk of incendiary devices being placed in shops and offices.

The police advice came as retailers prepare for the run-up to Christmas - their busiest time of year.

Chief Inspector Mark Mason of the PSNI said there was a danger of being distracted from normal security procedures and precautions through the busy period and urged extra vigilance.

"There is no need to spell out the damage, disruption and potential risk to life if an incendiary device goes undetected," he said.

The staff are the eyes and ears of the business

Mark Mason
Chief Inspector

"We are asking all businesses to be vigilant and, in particular, to explain to staff the important role they have in protecting themselves and the public.

"They are the eyes and ears of the business."

The police outlined several areas where businesses could improve on their security.

These include developing plans for searching premises during and after trading, and for recovering business in the event of an incident.

Larger retailers were told to arrange designated staff for each public area and to control access to private areas, paying particular attention to toilets.

Dissident warning

Earlier this year, the police said they believed dissident republicans were in possession of incendiary devices and were planning to target town centre businesses.

A device was discovered in County Down in December last year.

Dissident republicans were blamed for the incendiary device which partially exploded in the shop in Newry.

The latest warning comes after the discovery of a large incendiary-type bomb in a car in Belfast city centre last weekend.

The device was made up of gas cylinders and pipe bombs linked to containers full of flammable liquid.

One man has been charged in connection with the incident.