Concern is continuing to mount at the level of dissident Republican attacks in Northern Ireland targeting members of the PSNI and the military.

In an interview with PoliceOracle.com Terry Spence (pictured), Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland, said there had been 11 gun attacks and five bombings so far this year.

He also highlighted that terrorists had been targeting police officers – a number had been forced from their homes after they and their families were threatened.

Mr Spence said that he remained “deeply concerned” at the continued upsurge in the level of dissident Republican activity against the backdrop of a shrinking policing presence.

He added: “We are very worried at the decline in officer numbers – our figures are showing that we are likely to lose another 1,200 by 2015 as people retire.

“Recruitment into the PSNI has also stopped, and even if the Chief Constable wanted to commence again it would take at least a year to get it up-and-running.”

Mr Spence predicted that the dissident Republic groups would become more cohesive in their activity in future – a threat that was being taken very seriously.

He said officers were particularly concerned at the discovery of an IED of a similar nature to those used to target British troops in Iraq and southern Afghanistan. The device was of a type that had not been seen during the Troubles.

Mr Spence added: “I am convinced that there will be attempts to disrupt the Olympics.

“Last year there were 140 attacks and we have already seen members of the police and the Army targeted by the terrorists since the beginning of January.”