The sister of a Lurgan teenager with severe nonverbal autism has called for "greater understanding" of the condition following a "distressing" incident that saw her "removed" from a shop by police over a Thomas the Tank Engine DVD.
Eileen Mitchell said the 19-year-old who "doesn't speak and has the mindset of a young toddler" wanted the £2 DVD from Santa but the sale was refused by staff at a Lisburn shop because they had closed the till.
She told Belfast Live her sister couldn't understand why and "became very upset, crying in the shop" but despite her parents pleading with staff to take the £2 and scan it the following day, the situation "escalated" and her mum called the PSNI for help.
Eileen said: "She is all into Thomas the Tank Engine... and spotted a £2 DVD and went to the counter to get it and the girl behind the desk said they'd closed the till down and cashed it up for the evening. Then the staff told her the store was closed.
"My sister didn't understand what was going on so my mum tried to explain that she was autistic and "could we pay the £2 and get the DVD". It was a £2 DVD and my mum said she would pay the money or come back... first thing in the morning to pay.
"She was pleading with them and there was just no understanding or no training. Because of her condition... because the lights were on, the store was open."
Eileen says her sister then "started to cry," adding, "my mum called police hoping they would be trained and aware".
"Unfortunately, things escalated. My mum again tried to explain to the officers that [my sister] didn't understand what was happening and asked if they could let her pay for the DVD to calm [her] down.
"Instead... officers forcibly removed [her] from the shop. My dad, fearing she might be injured, tried to intervene. I came home to find my parents and [sister] deeply distressed and in tears over the incident."
Eileen shared a video of the 19-year-old being carried from the store by the arms and legs, with two officers holding her legs and her dad, another officer holding her arms and one standing outside. She added: "This video shows just how urgently we need greater awareness and understanding of autistic and vulnerable individuals, especially in places like Lisburn. Incidents like this shouldn't happen.
"I think she's a bit traumatised by it. We need more compassion, better training for staff and authorities, and systems in place to protect those who can't advocate for themselves."
After taking the teenager from the shop, we understand the family and police went their separate ways, that the situation wasn't being treated as a police matter and both parties have since spoken about what happened.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police were called to assist in a shop in the Bow Street area of Lisburn at 6.15pm last Sunday, 22nd December. Officers attended and removed a 19-year-old female from the shop."
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