Police investigate security breach around Biden’s visit after ‘sensitive’ document found in Belfast

Police are conducting an urgent investigation after a document containing top secret details of President Joe Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland was found on a Belfast street.

Dozens of officers could have been compromised following the discovery of the document, which allegedly contained a detailed itinerary of the US president’s trip and the associated $8.7 million security operation.

While no personal details related to the president or his dignitaries were disclosed in the Northern Ireland Police newspaper, it reportedly contained the names of all PSNI officers involved in today’s operation.

It also contained the phone numbers and addresses of top PSNI officers, BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show reported.

Biden’s visit to the country to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has been awash with security concerns – with police violence and suspected bombs discovered this week.

The discovery of the document today came ahead of President Biden’s speech at the University of Ulster

More than 300 officers from the rest of the UK have been called up to support the PSNI’s operations around the big event.

While the president’s trip was meant to celebrate the Good Friday Agreement that helped bring peace to the island 25 years ago, there have been disturbing reminders of threats that once dominated life in Belfast in recent days.

The latest security concerns came today when video footage showed Secret Service agents patrolling with sniffer dogs outside the hotel where Biden was staying.

Yesterday the PSNI said they had discovered four suspected pipe bombs in a cemetery in Derry, with dramatic footage of explosive ordnance disposal units moving inside.

And on Easter Monday, petrol bombs were thrown at police during parades for fear of more violent activity by dissident Republicans.

A number of rockets were hurled by young people wearing tracksuits and masks on their faces at a PSNI Land Rover following the parade in the Creggan area of ​​the city.

The terror threat level in the region was raised from substantial to severe last month.

The threat level increase came after a gun attack in County Tyrone on Senior Detective John Caldwell.

Police have said the New IRA was behind the attack, which saw DCI Caldwell shot in front of his son in the parking lot of a leisure centre. He remains in the hospital.

Police have recovered four suspected pipe bombs (pictured) from a cemetery in Londonderry where a republican memorial was held on Easter Monday

A huge Irish tri-colour flag and the slogan ‘NO 2 NATO’ is displayed on the side of Black Mountain overlooking Belfast

The discovery of the document today came ahead of Biden’s speech at the University of Ulster, which he used to reflect on the importance of the agreement for keeping peace in Northern Ireland.

The president said during his speech that the reaction of Northern Ireland’s political leaders to the shooting of DCI Caldwell showed that ‘the enemies of peace will not prevail’.

‘Northern Ireland will not go back, pray God.

“The attack was a stark reminder that there will always be those who want to destroy rather than rebuild.

The latest security concerns came today when video footage showed Secret Service agents patrolling with sniffer dogs

Police officers stand guard outside the Grand Central Hotel, where President Joe Biden stayed during his visit

“But the lesson of the Good Friday Agreement is this: It’s when things seem fragile or break easily that hope and hard work are most needed.”

A police spokesman said of today’s situation: “We are aware of a security breach.

“An investigation has been launched and we have notified the Senior Information Risk Officer.

“We take the safety of visiting dignitaries, members of the public and our officers and staff very seriously and will take appropriate action.”