Gerry Adams called for a loyalist threat to be withdrawn

The party's leader, Gerry Adams, led a delegation to meet board chairman, Sir Desmond Rea.

Mr Adams said he would put a proposal to his party executive that they should take part in the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships.

He also condemned the latest loyalist threats against republicans and party activists over the last few days.

"It is totally unacceptable. We look to the threat being withdrawn and to be withdrawn in a very public manner as quickly as possible," Mr Adams said.

It is understood police collusion with loyalist paramilitaries and the issue of plastic bullets were discussed at the board meeting.

Sinn Fein members voted to support policing in Northern Ireland for the first time in the party's history at the ard fheis, or conference, at an end of January.