Armed police were deployed to Bangor's High Street following reports of multiple gunshots on the evening of Sunday, May 18. The incident, which caused significant alarm among local residents, saw approximately 30 armed officers responding to the scene. Videos circulating on social media depicted a tense standoff between police and an individual inside a local taxi firm's office, with officers heard shouting at the man to drop his weapon.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) quickly established a cordon around the area, advising the public to avoid the High Street while they dealt with the ongoing incident. Despite unconfirmed reports of up to four shots being fired, there were no reports of casualties. The situation was later resolved with the detention of a male individual, as confirmed by local councillor Pete Wray, who praised the PSNI for their handling of the incident.

In the aftermath, concerns were raised about the circulation of distressing videos of the incident on social media. Alliance MLA Connie Egan highlighted the anxiety and distress such footage could cause, urging the public to refrain from sharing it. She also clarified that the shots fired were PSNI warning shots, aimed at safely resolving the situation without harm to the public or the individual involved.

As investigations continue, the PSNI has maintained cordons in the area, requesting the public's continued cooperation by avoiding the High Street. The incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing public safety with the complexities of firearms-related incidents. The community's resilience and the swift action of the PSNI have been pivotal in ensuring the situation was resolved without injury.

A former Northumbria Police detective, Sue Thorpe, has been given a suspended prison sentence after a court found her guilty of stalking her ex-boyfriend and misusing police computer data to harass him. The 44-year-old bombarded surfing instructor Barry Henderson with abusive messages and falsely accused him of serious crimes, including being a paedophile, in a year-long campaign following their breakup.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Thorpe's actions were part of a deliberate attempt to damage Mr. Henderson's reputation and his surfing business. She not only sent abusive voicemails, texts, and emails but also used the Police National Computer to illegally access information about him. Thorpe's false allegations were spread to his friends, family, and new partner, and she even set up fake social media accounts and email addresses to further her campaign.

The court sentenced Thorpe to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. A 10-year restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting any contact with Mr. Henderson. The judge highlighted the seriousness of Thorpe's misuse of police resources, noting the potential to erode public trust in law enforcement.

In a victim impact statement, Mr. Henderson described how Thorpe's actions had left him feeling 'physically sick' and as though she was 'on a mission to destroy' him. The case sheds light on the severe consequences of stalking and the abuse of power by those in positions of authority, underscoring the importance of accountability and the protection of individuals from such malicious campaigns.