REVEALED: ENGLISH POLICE OFFICERS TO HELP PSNI OVER THE TWELFTH

PSNI call in 650 English police officers to help out during marching season

PSNI call in 650 English police officers to help out during marching season

EXCLUSIVE: PSNI chief Constable Matt Baggott is drafting in English police f0r the Twelfth marching season.

Belfast Daily understands that around 650 extra officers will be acting in support of the PSNI.

However, they are to have a “non-operational” role and will not be deployed in sensitive areas.

The decision to call in English police was announced on Tuesday evening at PSNI headquarters in east Belfast.

The reinforcements are expected to start arriving from Wednesday morning onwards.

The announcement comes ahead of a decision by the Parades Commission on two Orange Order parades in the Ardoyne on Friday, July 12.

However, the fact that extra police are being called in to Northern Ireland is being taken as an indicator that the decision will go against the Orange Order.

A determination is expected tonight, Tuesday July 9.

If the return parade is banned, loyalists expect to either defy the ruling or have a stand off on the Crumlin Road on Friday morning.

A security source told Belfast Daily: “The Chief Constable made the announcement this evening (Tuesday) at PSNI headquarters.

“Six hundred and 50 officers will be arriving in Belfast overnight and into Wednesday.

“They were part of the contingent that was trained up for the G8 summit talks in Fermanagh last month.

“However, the Chief Constable has stated that they will not be used in riot situations.

“Instead, they will be used to man police stations, carry out desk duties and free up resources for the PSNI on the ground if things turn ugly.”

Police now fear that Ardoyne will become a battle zone on July 12 after talks between residents and the Orange Order failed to reach agreement.

Dissident republicans are already believed to have mobilised supporters to come into the area ahead of the parade on Friday.

Security sources said locals had reported that groups in the area planned to cement street fire hydrants to prevent PSNI water cannon from refuelling.

“Police on the ground are aware of these developments,” said the security source.

“The water cannon trucks only carry 10,000 gallons of water and they need these street hydrants to restock.”

 

 

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