Tom Constantine is overseeing policing reforms

Teresa Rooney, a member of Cookstown DPP, took the decision on Tuesday.

And a car belonging to a member of the district policing partnership in Strabane has been set on fire.

News of the incidents came as Policing Oversight Commissioner Tom Constantine said that threats from dissident republicans to kill community policing board members were the biggest test yet for the new arrangements.

The car, which was set alight in Strabane, belonged to teacher Arthur McGarrigle.

Some people, whether their reasons are political or criminal, want to destroy the Patten reforms, this is their small minded way of achieving that Tom Constantine Policing Oversight Commissioner

It was parked outside Our Lady of Mercy High School in Barrack Street.

The Fire Brigade dealt with one device attached to the vehicle.

However, army bomb experts have been called in to investigate a possible second device.

The school has been evacuated.

Mr McGarrigle said he believed he was targeted because of his position on the district policing partnership.

He said he would review his personal security.

Last week an independent nationalist in Fermanagh resigned following a threat from the Real IRA.

Dissident republicans also left a hoax bomb outside the home of a DPP chairman in Tyrone.

What we are faced with here is fascism Patsy McGlone Cookstown DPP chairman

Patsy McGlone, chairman of the DPP in Cookstown, said all the nationalist members of that partnership were contacted by police last week.

He said police intelligence was that mainstream republicans, aligned to the Provisional IRA, intended to intimidate them.

Mr McGlone said Mrs Rooney was a dedicated person to her own family and to the community.

"Whenever you have a threat of this type delivered to you, you have to take it seriously.

"It is very sad that intimidation and menaces of this type are impacting upon that valuable work."

"What we are faced with here is fascism," he said.

'Combat this threat'

Mr Constantine urged political leaders and clergymen to intensify efforts to combat the threat.

He was speaking as his latest report monitoring changes in policing was published on Tuesday.

"This is the first time I have been here that I have seen a fully fledged intent to destroy the Patten (police reform) plan," he said.

"The intimidation of citizens' groups trying to work with police has a chilling effect on the entire neighbourhood and community."

"Some people, whether their reasons are political or criminal, want to destroy the Patten reforms.

"This is their small-minded way of achieving that. Usually these people are thugs and predators and are not successful.

"I know this won't work, because I have met a number of people serving on the DPPs and I don't see people who are intimidated. I see determined and courageous people."

'Message' to republicans

The commissioner added: "I think this will pass, but it's important for everybody with a position of authority, whether clergymen, business leaders or political leaders, to recognise the intention is to destroy the Patten plan."

In his latest assessment of progress towards meeting the Patten blueprint for overhauling the service, his message to republicans was clear.

"There are still some who are not actively supporting the efforts to improve Catholic representation in the police service," he said.

"Despite this lack of complete support, the recruiting programme has been a success.

"It could be even more successful in ensuring the long term representation of Catholics, if all of the leaders adhered to the guidance of the Independent Commission (Patten).

I think we are going to see more individuals leave Denis Bradley Policing Board Vice Chairman

"The importance of fulfilling this recommendation, in terms of building confidence in and support for the police service, cannot be overstated," he said.

The Oversight Commissioner also reminded police chiefs that radical restructuring to Special Branch was long overdue.

He also criticised delays over the location of a new police training college.

He praised the government, Chief Constable Hugh Orde and his officers in the PSNI, the Policing Board, new district police partnerships and Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.

Policing Board Vice Chairman Denis Bradley said he feared more members of district policing partnerships will resign.

"I think we are going to see more individuals leave. This is regrettable but is understandable because such people have to take into account family issues," he said.

The President of the Methodist Church in Northern Ireland, Reverend Jim Rea, called on the nationalist community and politicians to support the district policing partnerships.

"Even though they may not necessarily agree with them serving on the partnerships, it's very important that they support their right to be there," he said.