An assistant chief constable of the PSNI warned this afternoon that dissident republicans may attempt to carry out a second bomb attack on the headquarters of the policing board in Belfast.
Two weeks ago a car loaded with 200 kilos of home-made explosive failed to ignite outside the policing board building at Clarendock Dock, near the city centre.
At today's meeting of the Board, Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris said a further attack on the building is a strong possibility and the security assessment rates it as a substantial threat.
He also said the PSNI believes there is a moderate threat to the 20 members of the Policing Board.
Northern Ireland's Policing Board supervises the activities of the PSNI and was established as part of the reforms recommended by Chris Patten.
It has 11 members drawn from the four main political parties at Stormont and nine independent members appointed by the Northern Secretary.
In May 2007, for the first time Sinn Fein members took seats on the Policing Board.
This marked a dramatic change in policy and followed the party's decision to support the police.
In the past 12 months dissident republicans have disrupted regional meetings of the Policing Board.
Four years ago the then vice chairman of the Board, Denis Bradley, was attacked and beaten in a Derry bar.
