PSNI seek additional powers to target paramilitary displays

PSNI Chief constable Jon Boutcher has revealed groundbreaking plans to remove paramilitary “displays” – likely to include murals and flags.

The PSNI’s most senior officer has also confirmed that he has been in contact with the British government’s Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, about the move.

Details of the development emerged during a meeting of the Policing Board.

Mr Boutcher said police have already developed “operational guidance” which has resulted in a “significant number” of anti-immigration displays being removed.

The former head of Operation Kenova confirmed he is now set to target paramilitary displays.

In the past police have come in for criticism over their approach to dealing with displays that glorify paramilitary groups, particularly in loyalist areas.

While the display of contentious paramilitary-linked murals have reduced in nationalist districts since the peace process began, images of armed men and other paramilitary displays are common in some loyalists areas.

Every year thousands of flags are put up in loyalist and mixed districts paying tribute to loyalist paramilitary groups, including the UVF and UDA.

Paramilitary flags are also often on display during loyalist band parades across the north every summer.

Attempts by the PSNI to directly tackle the glorification of paramilitary groups could bring the force into direct conflict with those responsible.

Speaking at last week’s board meeting, Mr Boutcher said “new operational guidance has been developed which has resulted in a significant number of anti-immigration displays being removed without adverse response”.

“Further to that we have engaged with the reviewer of counter terrorism Jonathan Hall in relation to seeking additional legislative powers to help remove such material and material from proscribed organisations,” he said.

Mr Boutcher added that the PSNI is “consulting regularly on these issues with the Department of Justice with regards to reforming legislation to give us more powers to deal with these things”.

Until recently direct PSNI intervention was rare.

In September last year racist posters targeting Muslims in the Rathcoole estate, on the outskirts of north Belfast, were removed by police.

Around the same time the force faced questions over why officers removed racist signage in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, but ignored sectarian banners glorifying the UVF located nearby.

At the time former Aontú and SDLP councillor Denise Mullen, whose father Denis was shot dead by the UVF in 1975, highlighted different approach adopted by police.

In May 2023 PSNI officers from the Terrorism Investigation Unit removed ‘IRA’ signs from the Creggan estate in Derry.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, who has a private members bill which seeks to address the issue, said: “I welcome the change in the PSNI’s approach to removing hate displays in public by introducing new guidance, and would also welcome clarity from the PSNI on whether an amendment to either section 12 or 13 of the Terrorism Act would be beneficial to law enforcement, allowing for the seizure of any article on reasonable suspicion that it has been displayed in support of a proscribed organisation,

“I have written to the Secretary of State in support of such an amendment, as it would remove any doubt that emblems of proscribed organisations, most obviously paramilitary groups, have no place on public property and must be removed immediately.”

And she added: “We cannot allow another generation to be condemned to growing up in communities defined by paramilitarism and gangsterism. It is time for clear action. We welcome any moves from the Chief Constable to take that action, and we will continue to seek any legislative routes to ensure the rule of law applies equally across all communities.”