Community 'must condemn' threats

One of the priests who issued a statement condemning threats against members of district policing partnerships has said it is everyone's responsibility to support policing reforms.

Father Michael Collins' comments followed the resignation of a third member of the partnerships in Northern Ireland after threats of intimidation.

On Saturday, a group of 17 priests from Londonderry described the intimidation threats as outrageous.

Father Collins called on all sections of the community to show solidarity.

"These are people doing important work for the benefit of the rest of the community," he said.

"The rest of the community has the obligation to speak out on their behalf - to say you shall not intimidate or threaten these people, if you do so you are threatening the entire community.

"There has to be an avalanche of protest against this small number of people who have taken it upon themselves to undermine the work that has gone on for many years to try to build up a reasonable police force."

Hugh Orde said mainstream republicans were involved

The chief constable, Huge Orde, has said the main threat was from dissident republicans, but police had intelligence that mainstream republicans were involved at a lower level.

On Saturday, the IRA was urged to make a statement saying it is not involved in the threats.

SDLP deputy leader Brid Rodgers said those who received the threats had been confused and frightened and urged the IRA to clarify its position.

Sinn Fein called for those behind the threats to disband.

A statement issued by the party said the attacks were wrong and should stop.

Community policing

District policing partnerships were set up across Northern Ireland under reforms initiated by a commission headed by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and implemented by the government.

Moya Burns, an independent member of Down district policing partnership, stood down on Friday.

It is believed she felt unable to continue in the role because of the current situation although she is not thought to have been personally threatened.

Teresa Rooney, a member of Cookstown DPP, stood down on Tuesday and last week an independent nationalist in Fermanagh resigned following a threat from the Real IRA.

Other attacks have included an attack on a car belonging to a DPP member in Strabane and a hoax bomb outside the home of a DPP chairman in Tyrone.

District policing partnerships are made up of councillors and members of the local community, who work alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland's 29 District Command Units in trying to meet local community policing needs.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board handles some of the most sensitive issues facing policing and holds PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and his senior officers to account.

Former assembly members and independent nominees serve on the board whose headquarters are in Belfast.