A SOCIAL networking site has removed a page that called for people to post pictures and details of officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The Facebook page, established by a group calling itself Crown Forces Watch, had also requested users to post details of police operations across the North.
It was closed down by Facebook yesterday after the Police Federation of Northern Ireland expressed fears that information posted on it could be used to murder officers.
The page, which had almost 300 members at the time of its removal, said in a statement that the PSNI had “launched a massive harassment and intimidation campaign aimed at Irish republicans” in east Tyrone and south Derry, following the recent arrest operation by detectives investigating the murder of Const Ronan Kerr in April.
“We must work together to combat this campaign of intimidation and harassment, by working together as a fraternity opposed to this British oppression,” the statement added.
“The aim of this group is to keep people updated on the attacks intimidation and ongoing harassment by the crown forces.”
Terry Spence, chairman of the police federation, said he was “greatly concerned” about the potential of the site.
“This is a very serious matter and I have been in touch with the chief constable’s office regarding it,” he said. “I asked him to take immediate action against those who set it up.
“Clearly this was an attempt to gather information which is likely to be of use to terrorists and which I am in no doubt would be used in attempts to target police officers for murder.”
Before it was removed, a message posted on the site by Crown Forces Watch added: “People on here must be vigilant. Know your rights, it may now be construed as a terrorist offence to photograph members of the crown forces.”