Police are bracing for "public disorder" that could be used as "a platform to launch terrorist attacks" in Derry on Easter Monday, a senior officer has said.
Police have in recent years come under attack in rioting following Easter Monday commemoration events linked to dissident republicans in Derry.
Last year, police were attacked with petrol bombs following an event at the city cemetery that featured paramilitary-style clothing.
Read more: PSNI moves more officers to frontline duties to counter terrorist threat
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said there is "very strong community intelligence" that there may be attempts to lure police in "to serious public disorder".
"It's going to be a really significant weekend for the PSNI and there is also very strong community intelligence, specifically, coming forward in respect of Monday's events in Derry~Londonderry," he said of the days ahead.
The senior officer said there is a "a real concern that there may be attempts to draw police in to serious public disorder, and to use that, then, as a platform to launch terrorist attacks on police as well."
He added: "So, going into our operation that's something that is very clearly at the forefront of my mind and of course the minds of our officers as well."
On the wider policing picture for the Easter period, he said: "Easter is always a busy time of year for policing in Northern Ireland. We see large scale deployments on a fairly regular basis, dealing with a series of parades. This weekend alone we think we'll be dealing with somewhere in the region of about 94 parades.
"On top of that, we have a number of other, celebratory events that are ongoing and we have a full programme of football as well. So that, in its own right, would be significant but of course this is all now taking place against the backdrop of a severe terrorist threat."
He continued: "Coming into this weekend, some of the challenges that we will face on top of a kind of usual public safety operations, we know from previous experience that we are likely to see potentially displays of paramilitary uniform amongst some of these parades.
"We could also potentially see paramilitary or terrorist shows of strength and we will also, we anticipate, be dealing with a number of unnotified parading events which may feature both of those elements."
In a statement, PSNI Chief Superintendent Nigel Goddard, Derry City & Strabane Area Commander, said: “We’re aware of two parades scheduled to take place in Derry/Londonderry on Easter Monday, in Rosemount in the morning and in Creggan in the afternoon.
“Organisers of parades are legally required to give formal notification of their intentions ahead of such events. Unfortunately, as of today, Thursday 6th April, the organisers have not done this. Consequently, both of these events are un-notified and will, therefore, automatically commit criminal offences if they go ahead un-notified.
“We’ve been engaging with key community representatives in advance of both of these events and we encourage the organisers to consider submitting the required documentation to The Parades Commission as there is still time to do so."
He continued: “As a Police Service, we have a professional duty to take steps to prevent offences from occurring, to maintain the peace and keep people safe.
“It is our intention to police these events proportionately on the day, however, if both events are un-notified that will require a larger police presence and operation than had these events been notified and legal. An evidence gathering operation will be in place in the city as these events take place, after which we will review any evidence gathered to identify any offences that may be committed.”
Micheal Martin has said the news of potential bombs and gun attacks in Northern Ireland as President Joe Biden comes here are "both shocking and worrying."
Justice Minister Simon Harris said that the cooperation between police and intelligence services North and South have “intensified” to counter any threat.
Mr Harris said: “The Gardaí and the PSNI are in extraordinarily close cooperation and collaboration on all threats or security measures on the island of Ireland and I can assure you that a level of cooperation and collaboration only intensifies at a time of concern.
“As the PSNI outlined this evening, the British Government on the advice of MI5 decided to increase the threat level, the terrorist threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe.’
“I would have spoken to the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland in advance of that decision, so while I won’t comment on security operations, there will be very intense cooperation and collaboration with Gardaí and the PSNI in Northern Ireland on all matters to keep people safe during the future period and indeed during President Biden’s visit.”
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