Man arrested amid probe into East Belfast UVF

A man has been arrested on suspicion of unlawfully supplying unlicensed door staff, amid an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF.

The 28-year-old was held following searches at residential addresses in Bangor and Donaghadee in Co Down, as well as office premises in Newtownards.

He was arrested under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, taken to Musgrave PSNI station for questioning, and later released on bail.

A number of items were seized during the searches, including a BB gun, camouflage clothing, a number of laptops, an iPad and documents.

PSNI Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said: “This is important work as the public are exposed to door staff when, at times, they are at their most vulnerable through the consumption of alcohol or drugs.

“The Paramilitary Crime Task Force is determined to disrupt and frustrate any criminal activities linked to paramilitaries.

“And we will continue to be relentless in delivering our contribution in working towards creating the environment in which a culture of lawfulness can thrive across all our communities.”

DS Singleton added: “We know that these paramilitary groups continue to hold a significant amount of fear, intimidation and control over communities and we are absolutely determined to take that control away from them and allow communities to prosper and live in safety.”