The Police Ombudsman has been notified over a video showing officers removing a teenage girl with autism from a shop in Lisburn due to ‘widespread public concern’, the PSNI has confirmed.
The video, which showed 19-year-old Katie Mitchell being removed from a CEX store on December 22, went viral on social media on Friday.
According to Katie’s sister, Eileen, the family was left ‘deeply distressed’ by the incident.
More: Family of teen with autism left ‘deeply distressed’ after Lisburn shop incident
A number of politicians responded to the footage, which has since been shared over 13,000 times.
Hi all, I've decided to share this video. Just b4 Christmas my autistic sister Katie (who doesn't speak and has the mindset of a toddler) went 2 buy a £2 dvd but the till had closed early and started crying in the shop. Police were called& forcibly removed her. #AutismAwareness pic.twitter.com/hOvpG9WLH5
— Dr Eileen Mitchell (@em093NI) December 27, 2024
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said that “many” had contacted her to express “serious concerns” over the “very troubling incident”.
SDLP MLA Mark Durkan said the footage made for “extremely upsetting viewing” and that it “underlines the need for a much wider understanding of autism and training for people in public-facing jobs”.
Police have since notified the ombudsman due to the ‘widespread public concern’ surrounding the video and ‘not because there is any suspected criminality or inappropriate behaviour which would justify disciplinary proceedings’.
Lisburn and Castlereagh District Commander, 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 22nd December.
“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 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,” she added.
“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.”
CEX has also been contacted for comment.
