Charge made after 'man with gun' approached train passengers

A 52-year-old man has been charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was arrested at a train station in Belfast on Thursday following reports of a man armed with a gun approaching young female passengers.

Police said the man, who claimed to be a police officer, approached two teenage girls at the train station in Holywood, County Down, at about 15:30 GMT.

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday 8 February.

It was reported to police that at the station, the man moved his coat, revealing to both teenage girls what they believed to be a gun tucked in his waistband.

The man then boarded the same train carriage as the girls, took a seat next to another teenage girl and placed the weapon on his lap.

The "extremely frightened" girl got off the train at the next stop, police said.

Train staff had been alerted and the man was escorted off at Lanyon Place Station.

While being detained by security staff at the train station, he pointed the gun at them.

The man was searched by responding police officers and he was found to be carrying a BB gun.

"This was a disturbing and upsetting ordeal for all of the young women involved. No one should be subject to this kind of harassing and intimidating behaviour anywhere, at any time. It is truly deplorable," Det Sgt McCartan said.

Detectives have appealed for witnesses to contact them.