The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, called yesterday for the establishment of a neighbourhood watch system to compensate for the unacceptability of the RUC in nationalist areas.
The system could enforce "democratic community justice". He recommended that a federation be set up to co-ordinate the approach and activities of local groups.
Since the renewal of the IRA ceasefire in July so-called punishment attacks had stopped, said the West Belfast MP. But he stressed that the RUC was as unacceptable as ever.
"The relationship of the RUC and nationalist Belfast is one of occupied people and the occupier," he said. Opinion polls had confirmed a lack of support for the force "or any of its appendages".
Mr Adams said the community deserved "proper policing and an acceptable system of justice". It would have been better if this had been negotiated as part of a peace settlement. "But the British government has shown a marked reluctance to do that, and I don't think we can wait."
He stressed that the approach of the community watch groups would be based on internationally respected principles of human rights. Organisations such as Amnesty International and Helsinki Watch could be consulted and statutory agencies could also help.
Mr Adams recommended an approach based on "mediation techniques, payment of damages, referral to drug or other similar programmes, help for families, boycott and community service". Sanctions would have to be proportionate to the offence, and the processes would have to be transparent and consistent.
Community watch groups have already been set up in Twinbrook, Poleglass and Whiterock. Mr Adams said they had made "a dramatic impact" in many cases by just talking to young people, who were mainly involved in car-stealing or other petty crimes.
He said he wanted to see such a system put on a more "consistent and stable basis".
In relation to more serious offences such as sex abuse, Mr Adams said statutory agencies could be brought in, which would subsequently have an obligation to refer cases to the RUC.
He said such an initiative would empower communities and "help to anchor the opportunities for peace we are involved in at the moment".