Northern Ireland

Police increase patrols as crowds descend on beauty spots

 A PSNI officer views the crowd enjoying the Sunday sunshine at Ballyholme beach, Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Stephen Davison.
A PSNI officer views the crowd enjoying the Sunday sunshine at Ballyholme beach, Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Stephen Davison. A PSNI officer views the crowd enjoying the Sunday sunshine at Ballyholme beach, Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Stephen Davison.

POLICE have increased patrols in an attempt to prevent crowds gathering at beauty spots and other areas during the warm weather.

Four youths were arrested on Friday night when PSNI officers arrived at Ballyholme beach near Bangor, Co Down to clear a crowd of up to 200 people.

Police said an officer was kicked in the face and a 17-year-old was charged with offences including assault on police.

Two others, a woman aged 18 and a 16-year-old boy, were released pending a report to prosecutors.

Bangor Grammar School principal Elizabeth Huddleson worked with the PSNI to try to clear the crowd.

"I have witnessed an arrest and the upset that goes with this. Not pleasant," she said.

"To see that girl's distress at being arrested was awful. Even as I sit here I cannot quite imagine the awfulness of ending up in a cell tonight in a police station in Belfast.

"Not what I want for any young person."

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said he understood that as time goes on, and with the current spell of good weather, some people may be tempted to get out and about and make the most of the sunshine.

"However, as a police service, our key role is to support our public health colleagues and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure we all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus and help save lives," he said.

Speaking of the increase in police patrols at beauty spots, transport hubs, and resorts across the north, he said: "We will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to make the right choices and we will enforce when necessary."

Among the sites to see an increased police presence was Belfast's Botanic Gardens.

Officers toured the park yesterday to ensure that groups were maintaining social distancing rules that state only up to six people from different households can meet up outdoors.

Officers were present in Botanic Gardens in Belfast on Sunday.

Groups sat on the grass enjoying the sunshine, which they are entitled to do as long as they follow rules designed to limit the spread of infection.

Meanwhile, police forces in Britain also made pleas for people to stay safe as the weather saw thousands descend on beaches and other beauty spots.

Thousands of people were evacuated from Dorset's Durdle Door beach on Saturday after three people were injured jumping from rocks into the sea.

Crowds were penned close together to allow an air ambulance to land, while the beach was closed on Sunday.

Crowds also gathered at beaches in the Republic to enjoy the good weather.