Minister calls for funding for PSNI reinforcements

Justice Minister Naomi Long has said she will ask for more funding to help the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) meet the costs of bringing in reinforcements from Scotland.

The PSNI has not yet said what the budget impact will be.

It has secured the help of 80 officers from Scotland, not the 120 it requested, a statement from Mrs Long confirmed.

She added the Stormont Executive is continuing to press London for more cash for public services.

Officers from Police Scotland arrived in Northern Ireland on Tuesday for duties later this week.

The PSNI applied for help last week, as it dealt with racially-motivated trouble linked to anti-immigration protests.

It also faced disorder in Londonderry caused by nationalist youths.

Mrs Long said she wholly supported the PSNI’s request for help, which she said would provide support and respite for its officers.

“I understand the chief constable has secured 80 additional officers following his request to the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPCC) and I recognise this will represent an additional burden for the PSNI budget," she said.

“We continue to engage with finance colleagues and the UK government to ensure that resourcing for this and future operations is sustainable going forward.

“The PSNI, like the entire justice system, needs more resources and I will continue to work with the chief constable and other justice partners to manage the hugely challenging budgetary situation.

“I along with my executive colleagues, will continue to press the UK government and the Treasury for sustainable funding for public services in Northern Ireland.”

On Tuesday, a retired assistant chief constable claimed Stormont has been ignoring a developing funding "crisis" in policing in Northern Ireland.

Alan McQuillan accused politicians of having "blinkers on" as the Police Scotland reinforcements began to arrive.

The officers from Scotland are expected to be on duty for about a week.