Ulster Unionist Policing Board Member Ross Hussey MLA has called on the general public to give full support to the Police as they seek to thwart the latest republican terror threat. 

 Mr Hussey said:

 "It is obviously a matter of regret that the Police should be put in a position where they have to establish check points in certain parts of Belfast.

 "This may cause a degree of inconvenience to the public, but we must all remember the reason why this action has been deemed necessary.

 "The Police are merely reacting to the activities of the terrorists in both Belfast and Londonderry in recent days and weeks. There are clearly some republican fanatics who are hell-bent on returning this community and this society to the bad old days of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s when car bombs and van bombs in our city and town centres were a regular IRA tactic, as they sought to sabotage the economy and bring Northern Ireland to its knees. 

 "The vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland from all sections of our community are looking forward to celebrating Christmas and spending time with family and friends.

 "Unfortunately this society is still polluted by a small group of fanatics who are incapable of living in a normal society and who are determined to replicate the fear and misery that was the hallmark of the IRA. Just as the IRA campaign ended in defeat and failure, so this latest brand of republican terrorists will fail now.

 "The police need full community support as they work to protect the entire community from what is a very real threat. It is incumbent upon all of us to give them our total support in that endeavour."