COMMUNITY confidence in the RUC has fallen dramatically since last year, and there has been a sham rise in the proportions of both Catholics and Protestants favouring reform of the force, according to a survey carried out by the Northern Ireland Police Authority (PANI).
The survey demonstrates how the events surrounding the Drumcree standoff have seriously damaged the standing of the force in the eyes of Catholics and nationalists, while it appears that more Protestants are also unhappy with the policing of parades and marches.
The new RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, admitted during the autumn that the events of last summer had undermined public confidence both in the police and the rule of law. This scientific survey is the first independent evidence of the extent of the damage.
Eighty two per cent of Catholic respondents now believe that the RUC should either be reformed, replaced or disbanded, compared with 70 per cent in a similar survey last year. In 1995, 28 per cent of Catholics surveyed thought the RUC should be allowed to carry on as it was then; that figure has now fallen to 13 per cent.
Significantly, in the same period the proportion of Protestants favouring reform of the force has grown from 23 per cent to 32 per cent.
Seventy four per cent of Catholics and 29 per cent of Protestants now agree with the suggestion that all parades and demonstrations should be temporarily banned, perhaps for a year.
Just over half of all Catholics and 39 per cent of Protestants quoted Drumcree as the reason for their lack of confidence in the ability of the force to police parades, demonstrations and public order situations.
"Lack of ability" by the RUC was quoted by 14 per cent of Catholics and 15 per cent of Protestants; the methods used by the RUC were quoted by 13 per cent of Catholics and 20 per cent of Protestants; 19 per cent of Catholics and 2 per cent of Protestants perceived the RUC to be on the Protestant side, and smaller proportions quoted unspecified bias, poor police management or other reasons.
The replies to another question showed that a substantial proportion of Protestants, 41 per cent, felt that the extent of the restrictions used on Protestant marches and demonstrations was "about right". Thirty eight per cent of Protestants considered that "too much" restrictions were used, and 14 per cent that "too little" were employed.
Respondents were asked who should be responsible for deciding whether a controversial parade or demonstration should or should not be allowed through any particular area.
The largest proportion of Protestants (40 per cent) thought that the onus for this decision should be on the Chief Constable, whereas the largest proportion of Catholics (54 per cent) thought the decision should be up to the local residents.
But 45 per cent of Catholics and 33 per cent of Protestants thought the decision should be taken by some other group set up specifically for the purpose.
Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of Catholics felt that plastic bullets were used more against Catholics than against Protestants, but 72 per cent of Protestants felt this weapon was used equally against both communities in public disorder situations.
The Police Authority itself comments that it supports the Chief, Constable's assessment that "ate present, plastic baton rounds represent the only practical and reasonable way to control public, order while keeping casualties among both police and civilians to a minimum, particularly where petrol bombs are being used."
St Patrick's College, Broughshane Road, Ballymena, was damaged in a suspected arson attack last night. The fire was quickly brought under control by a caretaker, aided by firemen. The RUC is investigating its cause.