Police probing cases of suspects ‘exploiting’ Irish border

Police in Northern Ireland are developing case studies of suspects who are “exploiting” the border, a senior officer has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones told the Policing Board it “cannot be” that people are able to drive into another jurisdiction and get away “scot-free”.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher told the board that collaboration between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána is the “strongest” he has seen in his career.

Ms Jones told the board the force was taking steps to provide officers with equipment to intercept vehicles attempting to “evade across the border”.

She said: “I’m also at the beginning of the conversation about that hard border issue.

“I feel it’s time, it’s not going to be a quick fix, but it cannot be that people can drive half a mile into another jurisdiction and know that they will be able to get away scot-free unless we can muster resources at the other side of the border.

“We’re developing specific case studies of people who are exploiting the border, and we’ve been supported with the cross-border strategy with that work.

“We hope to be able to develop a case where we can start having the right political conversations to take that forward in the autumn.”

Mr Boutcher told the board that in July gardaí intercepted a car which contained component parts of an explosive device destined for Northern Ireland.

He said: “The relationship between the PSNI and the AGS (An Garda Síochána) is exemplary.

“It’s the strongest collaboration I have seen in my 43 years of policing.

“These ties should be celebrated. They keep communities safer on each side of the border.”