‘It is never acceptable to put handcuffs on a child’

A MID Ulster MLA has called for an “urgent investigation” after a 13-year-old boy was handcuffed by the police during a stop-and-search operation in the Coalisland area.

Sinn Fein’s Linda Dillon said she had already spoken to the PSNI’s local District Commander and Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI about the incident, which occurred on Sunday, February 6.

The MLA said, “I raised serious concerns that a 13-year-old boy was handcuffed by the PSNI during a stop and search in Coalisland.

“It is never acceptable to put handcuffs on a child.

“I have contacted the PSNI directly to raise these concerns and called for an urgent investigation.

“The PSNI should refer this incident directly to the Police Ombudsman.”

Meanwhile, responding to the MLA’s statement, the PSNI said an individual who failed to cooperate with a search was placed in handcuffs to allow officers to “safely carry out their duties”.

The PSNI did not state the age of the individual.

A PSNI spokesperson said, “Police carried out a routine stop-and-search operation in the Annagher Road area of Clonoe at approximately 10.15pm on Sunday (February 6).

“An individual who failed to co-operate with the search, was placed in handcuffs to enable officers to safely carry out their duties.”