Dissident threats 'hamper police'

Sir Hugh said dissidents were peddling death and mayhem

Police are taking longer to respond to emergency calls because of the threat of attacks from dissident republicans, the chief constable has said.

Sir Hugh Orde said that in some areas police were having to use armoured vehicles for their own safety.

"These are not people that have some political objective," he said.

"These people are criminals. They are using a flag of convenience, for want of a better description, to peddle death and mayhem in Northern Ireland."

Sir Hugh said the dissidents just wanted "to carry on their criminal activities".

"These are not freedom fighters, so-called," he said.