British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrives in Belfast tomorrow for talks with local politicians, as a new opinion poll shows a majority backing for the devolution of security powers from Westminster.
In the British government survey, carried out earlier this month, 1,443 people were asked about their preferred timescale for action.
The highest proportion (36 per cent) backed action within the next few months, another 22 per cent within the next year, while 12 per cent said never and 16 per cent favoured the move within the next few years.
Pressure was greatest among Sinn Fein supporters (82 per cent) with over half of DUP voters (51 per cent) also favouring a shift within the next 12 months or sooner.
Mr Brown holds talks with all the main party leaders at Stormont tomorrow and is expected to discuss the policing issue which is a key demand of Sinn Fein's.
There have been fears power-sharing could collapse if a backlog stretching to June isn’t tackled on Thursday.
Mr Brown will address MLAs at Parliament Buildings and will also meet DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
The Executive has been threatened because of Sinn Féin discontent at lack of progress on policing as well as promotion of an Irish language act and other issues.
The DUP is pressing for a resumption of business to help people trapped by the credit crunch and rising bills.