Ombudsman looking into Belfast airport police concerns

The Police Ombudsman’s Office is looking into whether there is cause for it to investigate the response of airport police to disorder at Belfast International.

Concerns have been raised over an incident on Saturday evening in which fighting broke out between two groups of passengers in the departures area of the airport.

A number of men brandished metal poles in the disorder and items including a fire extinguisher were thrown.

It was filmed by shocked onlookers and posted on social media, along with claims that the trouble lasted for up to 20 minutes without intervention – something the airport denied.

“Complaints about airport police come under the remit of the Police Ombudsman's Office,” a statement said.

“Our investigators have been in contact with the airport and are establishing whether this is a matter which should be investigated further.”

One witness described what happened as “absolute mayhem”.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Belfast International said: “The incident, in its entirety, lasted seven minutes with police arriving on scene within three minutes.

“The rapid intervention of police was not captured in the videos posted on social media.

“Airport police, PSNI and staff are to be commended for their professionalism in dealing with this incident in such a swift manner.”