The Northern Ireland secretary has urged loyalist paramilitaries to "catch up" with the IRA and end armed activity and crime.

Shaun Woodward was reacting to the latest Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report which said that loyalist leaders need to accelerate efforts to normalise their activities.

"Today's report by the IMC builds on previous assessments that the Provisional IRA is fully committed to pursuing the political path and that it will not be diverted from it. In contrast, within loyalism, the pace of real change remains too slow. Loyalism cannot be allowed to lag behind," Woodward said.

The Ulster Volunteer Force announced in May it was putting its weapons beyond reach and embarking on a strategy to 'civilianise' the organisation.

The Ulster Defence Association has also said it has been working on a strategy to transform the organisation.

However in-fighting in the organisation over the summer cast doubt on its ability to achieve this objective.

Woodward acknowledged there were signs within the loyalist leaderships that they want to bring their communities out of conflict, but added: "The scenes of street violence in Carrickfergus and Bangor were a stark reminder of Northern Ireland's troubled past.

"The UDA leadership must re-double its efforts if we are to see an end to violence and criminality.

"I welcome the IMC's assessment of the UVF's statement in May which they say represents 'a major turning point' for the organisation. I acknowledge the positive statement by the UVF to abandon violence and criminality.

"But loyalists need to do more to convince society of their bona fides.

"As the report makes clear, decommissioning is the test by which any paramilitary organisation must ultimately expect to be judged.

"As with the Provisional IRA, ultimately loyalists will be judged by what they do, not by what they say. I urge both the UVF and the UDA to demonstrate courage and leadership to take the next vital step."