A District Commander has responded to an online video which shows a “severely autistic” teenager being carried out of a shop in Lisburn following an incident involving a £2 DVD.
Eileen Mitchell’s video of the incident, which happened in Lisburn, has gone viral in a few short hours.
She recorded the footage as sister Katie (19) – who is non-verbal and formerly of Ceara Special School in Lurgan – was removed from the CEX buy and sell entertainment outlet in Lisburn.
Superintendent Kelly Moore said: “We are aware of video footage which is circulating on social media in which officers are seen to be carrying a female from a shop.
“Police were called by the female’s mother to provide assistance in the Bow Street area of Lisburn at 6.15pm on Sunday, December 22.
“The shop was closing its shutters when a female entered the premises. Officers attended and after discussions with family and staff members for approximately 20 minutes, a 19-year-old female with complex needs was removed from the shop by a family member, assisted by police. One officer was injured during the course of the incident.
“This was a very difficult and complex set of circumstances for everyone involved and I have spoken to the family today to discuss their concerns. As an organisation we are committed to continuous learning and any feedback will be reviewed and considered. Our officers are routinely called to challenging situations and as in this case we will always seek a patient approach when dealing with people with complex needs.
“The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been notified of this incident not because there is any suspected criminality or inappropriate behaviour which would justify disciplinary proceedings but owing to the widespread public concern and media attention surrounding the release of a short video clip of a few seconds of this incident.”
Related: ‘Severely autistic’ teen ‘forcibly removed from shop by five police’ over £2 DVD incident
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