PSNI: New IRA develops "different kind of highly dangerous explosive bomb"
The New IRA used a new pressure-plate type device in an attempt on a policeman's life earlier this year, according to the PSNI.
Last updated 1st Sep 2017
The method was used by dissident republicans who targeted an off-duty officer in Londonderry in February.
Speaking at a press conference in Belfast on Friday afternoon, Detective Superintendent John McVea said the pressure plate is designed to detonate when a car drives over it:
"The pressure plate is a crude method of detonation.
"So not sophisticated, but a very effective means of detonation.
"The New IRA have access to high explosives - which is concerning," he said.
According to the senior detective, the pressure plate method had been seen just once before in the Derry area and has been developed because of the difficulty of attaching booby-trapped bombs to the underside of cars.
This method was traditionally used by dissident republicans to target officers at their homes or in the community.
That was historically done using magnets but modern cars are made using more plastic, Mr McVea said.
The bomb itself is a box of explosives wrapped in tape and placed under a car. The pressure plate detonator is activated when a car wheel drives over it.
Police are on high alert for more attacks from dissidents.