PSNI operation 'linked to feud'

The police and Army have set up checkpoints in White City

A security operation is continuing in County Down in connection with the loyalist feud.

Three police and Army checkpoints have been set up around the White City estate in Holywood.

Police said the operation was to prevent a repeat of scenes in the Garnerville estate in east Belfast when the UVF forced LVF members to leave.

They said they were in the area to "disrupt the activities of those intent on increasing fear and intimidation".

Superintendent Graham Shields said: "It is the role of the police to uphold the law and protect life and property.

"I would like to reassure the public that police are working to help bring this feud to an end.

"I would ask those with influence in local communities to do the same."

Shootings

Over £1m has been spent policing the feud over the past six weeks and police have appealed for help from the public to bring it to an end.

During that time, 63 searches have been carried out, with 11 people arrested and seven charged.

Meanwhile, a number of overnight petrol bomb and gun attacks in County Antrim have been linked to the feud, according to the police.

A family of four escaped injury after 10 shots were fired into their house at Station Road, Newtownabbey.

Two adults and two children were at home. Some of the shots hit the front of the house but a number of bullets went through a window at 2300 BST on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, a woman and two children escaped injury in a petrol bomb attack in north Belfast.

They were wakened by the device hitting a window of their house in the Silverstream area at about 0330 BST on Wednesday.

Shots were also reported to have been fired.

A short distance away, three petrol bombs were thrown at another house. Two failed to ignite, but a window was smashed.

The third did catch fire and caused scorch damage to the front door.