Controls into guns and ammunition to be reviewed

Police controls around gun and ammunition storage are to be reviewed, after an officer was charged with the alleged theft of thousands of bullets from a training facility.

The 63-year-old is due to appear in court later this month, accused of a number of offences.

It is understood that around 25,000 rounds of ammunition were found in searches linked to the alleged theft.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said the officer is suspended, pending the outcome of the case and internal misconduct proceedings.

The ammunition was allegedly taken from a training facility at Steeple in Antrim.

It is also believed that a sub-machine was discovered in a locker.

Steeple is one of several sites where officers are trained in the use of firearms.

The external review will examine systems and practices relating to the management of firearms and ammunition across the training sites.

It will be carried out by Simon Chesterman, lead expert in armed policing at the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

The terms of reference have been shared with the Policing Board and the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher gave details of the review during a meeting of the board on Thursday.

The suspended officer is accused of several offences, including theft of ammunition and possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

He is also charged with taking a vehicle without consent and making or supplying articles for use in frauds.