Police Issue Warning Over Public Disorder In A&E

Police officers in east Belfast have issued a stark warning to the public over threatening and disorderly behaviour in hospital emergency departments.

It comes after officers spent a morning in hospital accompanying an arrested person for medical treatment.

After witnessing the behaviour of multiple individuals, officers warned a number of people to cease and posted about the exchange on social media.

"There are a number of people in the unit who believe they are more important than everyone else in here, who believe that shouting and swearing is an acceptable thing to do," the officer explained.

"I regularly hear: 'Why are those nurses just standing around on their phones?… 'They're not doing anything else! They're just standing around talking!'

"I can assure you, they are not standing around twiddling their thumbs. They're flat out and looking forward to a cup of tea! One particular guy was shouting about how he should be seen first, he had literally arrived 20 minutes prior to this! He proceeded to inform his father that he was going to wreck the place. Yes, this person is an adult.

"The public have the luxury of walking away from this vile behaviour, the police have the powers to arrest and deal with offences but doctors, nurses and medical staff have to remain in the unit. They have to listen to and be subjected to this disgraceful and abusive behaviour. They have a duty of care to you and to look after you. They often have to work through the abuse, foul language and throw into the mix the fear of being assaulted."

The police added that the use of body worn video cameras often captures such behaviour and can be used as evidence.



(JG/CM)