Young female train passengers in ‘disturbing and upsetting ordeal’ after man reveals firearm and claims to be police officer

Young female train passengers were approached by a man impersonating a police officer and carrying what appeared to be a firearm, before he later pointed the gun at staff at a Belfast station.

A 52-year-old man was arrested at Lanyon Place station following the “disturbing and upsetting ordeal” for the young women caught up in the incident, which happened on Thursday afternoon.

The PSNI said that around 3.30pm, the man approached two teenage girls at the Holywood station in north Down and claimed to be a police officer.

“He then moved his coat, and both observed what they believed to be a gun in his waistband. This male then boarded the same train carriage as girls,” a police spokesperson said.

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“Whilst on the train, the male then took a seat next to another teenage girl and placed the weapon on his lap. This girl, who was obviously extremely frightened by the interaction, managed to get off the train at the next stop.”

Staff on board the train from Holywood were alerted and the man was escorted off the train at Lanyon. When security staff at the station detained him as they waited for police, he pulled out the weapon and pointed it at staff.

“When subsequently searched by responding police officers, he was found to be carrying a BB gun,” the PSNI said.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He remained in police custody on Friday afternoon.

“This was a disturbing and upsetting ordeal for all of the young women involved. No one should be subject to this kind of harassing and intimidating behaviour anywhere, at any time. It is truly deplorable,” the police spokesperson said.

Detectives want to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured footage that could help with enquiries.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was approached by a man claiming to be a police officer - or under any other pretence they found suspicious - in Holywood, prior to the departure of the 3.30pm train to Belfast,” the PSNI said.