Police chief fears losing European Arrest Warrant in event of no-deal Brexit

A senior police officer in Northern Ireland has voiced concern that the European Arrest Warrant could disappear in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs told a Policing Board seminar in Belfast that this week alone, five people are being brought back to Northern Ireland under the policing tool.

Making a presentation called Policing The EU Exit, Mr Mairs said police are concerned about the risk of losing this power if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

He also outlined potential risks from a no-deal Brexit including additional infrastructure or checks at the Irish border generating violent attacks and the exploitation of differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

He emphasised that police do not want to see the perception of a “safe haven” for criminals created either north or south of the Irish border after Brexit.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is recruiting 308 new police officers and staff to deal with Brexit after receiving additional funding of £16.4 million from the Treasury.