Patients and staff abused by anti-social teens at Whiteabbey Hospital

Groups of youths have been congregating in the hospital grounds, displaying disruptive behaviour and shouting abuse at patients, staff and passers-by.

In one incident reported on Wednesday, February 17, several upright trolley cages were stolen from the site, before later being recovered.

In another incident reported on Tuesday, February 16, a group of youths had gathered in a cordoned-off area of the site which consisted of derelict buildings.

Sergeant David Boyd has said extra police patrols are being conducted in the area.

Sergeant Boyd said: “The reports commonly involve a gathering of young people, generally causing a disturbance.

“Their behaviour is distressing for everyone. Extra police patrols have been deployed in the area, and we are working closely with the local Health Trust in a bid to combat this anti-social behaviour.

“My appeal is two-fold. Firstly, I am appealing to parents or guardians to know what your children are doing outside of the home, and to make it clear that any behaviour that impacts negatively will not be tolerated.

“Young people could find themselves with a criminal record, which has all sorts of consequences.

”Secondly, I would ask anyone who has witnessed, or who is affected by anti-social behaviour to contact police on 101.”

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

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Nightingale provision opened at Whiteabbey Hospital as a “step down” facility for recovering Covid patients in November 2020.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust stated that a total of 63 Covid patients had been treated at the Newtownabbey facility between November and January 14 2021.

For more on this story, read here

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