Pursuit police 'may cross border'

Police could pursue suspects across the Irish border under plans being proposed by the DUP.

The party wants gardai to be allowed to cross into NI and the PSNI into the Republic in vehicle pursuits.

Many European countries have a formal arrangement that allows police forces to cross their borders in pursuit of criminal suspects.

However, at present, PSNI and gardai officers have to stop when they reach the border.

But the DUP wants that to change, NI Home Affairs Correspondent Vincent Kearney said.

"Ian Paisley Jnr says the party will raise the issue at the next meeting of the British Irish Council in December," he said.

"In a statement, Irish Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said that not participating in the Schengen agreement (allowing cross-border pursuits) was not a barrier to effective cooperation between the PSNI and the gardai."

However, he said the Irish government was drawing up procedures to participate in some parts of the agreement.