I'm not surprised by the PSNI's 'softly-softly' approach in east Belfast. This is how Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine operates generally with loyalist paramilitaries. Last year, Irvine had his officers block off streets while one group of paramilitaries erected flags. I think the excuse given was that it was to prevent breaches of the peace.

Pathetic really.

There is a depressingly familiar quote in the report, Gonzo -

Superintendent Graham Shields said: "It is the role of the police to uphold the law and protect life and property.

"I would like to reassure the public that police are working to help bring this feud to an end.

I would ask those with influence in local communities to do the same.

What that approach fails to recognise is that, in many cases, those who present themselves as having influence in the community - and there's that ubiquitous term again - are part of the problem.

And I'll just note that the report has been edited since I posted it.

Hmmm... Not sure 400 men arriving in busloads to swamp one smallish estatewas in the PSNI game plan. They seem to have tactically retreated to defend the next area of conflict.

"They seem to have tactically retreated to defend the next area of conflict."

Hmm... I can see how that fits in with the quote from the police in the above report -

Superintendent Graham Shields said: "It is the role of the police to uphold the law and protect life and property."

[/sarcasm]

peteb, agreed completely. "those in the community with influence" are supposed to be the police. If the police are willing to subordinate themselves to other influences then the paramilitaries have won.