Enhanced autism training recommended for officers following physical removal of autistic woman from shop

The recommendation follows the completion of an investigation into an incident in December 2024 when a young autistic woman was physically removed from a shop by four police officers and her father.

The young woman’s mother subsequently made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman, which centred on whether the officers complied with their training in respect of autism, and the effectiveness of the training they had received.

The investigation identified no misconduct by the police officers involved, however, Nikki Davis, director of Investigations with the Police Ombudsman’s Office, said the incident was “undoubtedly distressing” and emphasised the need for enhanced training.

When the young woman entered a shop in Lisburn through half-closed shutters, the shop’s tills were no longer operational and she was unable to buy a DVD. Shop staff asked the woman, and her mother, to leave.

When the young woman, who is non-verbal, would not leave the shop, the situation escalated and the police were called.

Body-worn video shows that the first two police officers to arrive discussed the situation with the young woman’s parents, made it clear that she needed to leave as the shop was closed, and that their preference was for her parents to remove her.

Her father first encouraged his daughter to leave, and then tried to move her physically. When this was unsuccessful, officers discussed the most appropriate course of action.

They became physically involved only after the young woman’s father continued to experience difficulties managing on his own and, during one attempt to escort the young woman outside, one officer was injured.

Repeated efforts were made and ultimately, when a further two police officers arrived at the shop, the four officers and the young woman’s father, carried her out of the shop.

“What happened during this incident was undoubtedly distressing for this young woman and her parents, and footage of her being carried out of the shop by police and her father was the subject of significant public commentary,” said Ms David.

“However, when reviewed in its entirety, the body-worn video, which included audio, together with CCTV footage, showed that the police officers who responded to the incident understood that the best approach was for her parents to encourage her to leave the shop.

“When those efforts were unsuccessful, and their own attempts to escort the young woman from the shop also failed, the officers, along with her father, physically removed her.

“The police officers recognised from the outset that there was no simple solution and their action was a last resort in an incident which lasted for around 18 minutes from police entering the shop to leaving.

“While the officers did not breach the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) code of ethics, the situation exposed a gap in current PSNI training and led directly to the recommendation that police officers should receive enhanced training which equips them to engage with, and respond to, any autistic person, but especially a person who speaks few or no words and may communicate in other ways.”

During the investigation, the Police Ombudsman obtained relevant police documentation in respect of the incident, reviewed all body-worn video, secured and examined CCTV from inside and outside the shop, and also took witness statements, including from the young woman’s parents.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “We welcome the publication of the Police Ombudsman’s Report into the investigation of the removal of an autistic woman from a shop in Lisburn in December 2024.

“This was a very difficult and complex set of circumstances for everyone involved and we welcome the confirmation from the Ombudman’s report that no officer should face any misconduct as a result of this investigation and recognises their efforts to support the young woman’s parents to diffuse the distressing situation they found.

“The Ombudsman has identified that whilst there is training for front line officers in dealing with vulnerability and mental health there is no specific input for front line officers on strategies for dealing with those they encounter who may be non-verbal.   In keeping with the recommendation we will now consider how best to incorporate this element into future training.

“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.

“We are increasingly being called upon to address calls for concern and safety in relation to vulnerable people. Our work around Right Care Right Person will help to ensure that the right agency is called to deal with people in need or crisis.

“For close to ten years we’ve had a Police Autism Support Group, established by our officers and staff, which is committed to supporting both our neurodiverse colleagues and helping us to promote a more positive policing response to neurodiversity in our community.”