Officers from Serious Crime Branch arrest three, Belfast
Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch who have taken over an investigation from the Historical Enquiries Team into a series of murders and other crimes by the UVF in North Belfast made their first arrests today, Monday 8 March.
Three men, aged 28, 32 and 62, were arrested in the greater Belfast area. They have been taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim police station for questioning.
This is a large and complex investigation which will continue for a considerable time.
Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch of the PSNI took over the running of Operation Ballast last December from the Historical Enquiries Team. Op Ballast was originally a PONI investigation into a series of murders and other crimes by the UVF in North Belfast. HET is now concentrating its efforts on helping to answer questions for families who lost loved ones during the Troubles. To date, enquiries by HET have led to 20 people either charged or reported to the PPS for a total of 23 offences including murder and attempted murder. Two men were jailed last week.
The PSNI believes the Serious Crime Branch is now the most appropriate mechanism to continue this important piece of work. The Police Service remains fully answerable and accountable to the Policing Board in relation to the implementation of the Ombudsman's recommendations in Op Ballast.
