Staff to go back to Larne Port after security scare

The cleaned wall near Larne Port which had threatening graffiti aimed at port inspection officers.
Author: Sarah MckinleyPublished 5th Feb 2021

Mid and East Antrim Council has said its staff will return to work at Brexit checking facilities at Larne Port on Friday evening having been withdrawn earlier in the week amid safety concerns.

The PSNI has completed a risk assessment, after sinsiter graffiti opposing sea-border checkpoints was daubed on walls, and there were reports of intelliengence gathering on staff carrying out the Brexit checks.

A council spokesman said: "Mid and East Antrim Borough Council staff will return to their inspection duties at Larne Port this evening following the completion of a PSNI threat assessment and subsequent risk assessment by the Council.

"The health and safety of our staff remains our top priority."

Police have previously rubbished the theory that loyalist paramilitaries were behind the incidents. Instead, the PSNI believes long, disgruntled members of the public could be to blame.