North's Police Get Extra Anti-Terror Cash

There's an additional £200m on the way to help the police across the border combat the dissident terror threat.

The Stormont ustice Minister David Ford and the Chief Constable Matt Baggott had made a formal request for the funding, which will be spread over four years.

The Northern Ireland Executive has also agreed to make an extra £45m available for security.

The NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson said the coalition had always made clear it would protect its citizens.

He added: "We are honouring the agreement reached on the devolution of policing and justice and going beyond it by agreeing an additional £199.5m over the next four years.

"We are doing this despite the unprecedented pressures on the public finances."

Funding for the PSNI comes primarily from the Department of Justice with the extra money warmly welcomed by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and Justice Minister David Ford.

The DUP's Mr Wilson said it would provide the PSNI with the opportunity to "plan effective strategies on a long-term basis against the security threat".

The Alliance party's David Ford said he had worked closely with the Chief Constable "to ensure that the needs of Northern Ireland are recognised in London".

In a formal statemtnt this morning, Owen Paterson said the Government has agreed to guarantee the money to protect the people of Northern Ireland and to tackle the terrorist threat.

"It demonstrates the commitment of the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to work together to reduce the threat from those who mistakenly believe they can pursue their aims by violence and by dragging Northern Ireland back to the past.

"I am particularly pleased that it will provide the PSNI with the certainty they need to enable them to plan ahead for the next four years.

"This Government has always promised to stand by Northern Ireland and, by agreeing to this exceptional four year funding package, once more we have done so," he said.

£50.3m was made available under this agreement in 2010/11, and the Government has now, exceptionally, agreed to guarantee an additional £199.5m for the PSNI over the four year Budget 2010 period.

£57.1m will be underwritten in 2011-12, £53.3m in 2012-13, £62.4m in 2013-14 and £26.7m in 2014-15.

The Acting Chair of the NI Policing Board has welcomed the funding.

Brian Rea said: "The Chief Constable made a very strong case for these monies and it is welcome news that Government have now confirmed that the additional bid for just under £200m will be made available to PSNI over the next four years.

"It is also welcome that the Executive has proposed a further £45 million over four years in the draft budget."

(BMcC/GK)