Statement by Peter Wilson, Chairman of North Down TUV:
“I am relieved that the serious incident involving a firearm on Bangor’s High Street has been resolved safely and without injury. The swift and professional actions of the PSNI prevented a potentially tragic outcome, and their bravery and restraint in dealing with such a volatile situation deserves our full admiration.
“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the emergency services, the individual involved was taken into custody without harm. I commend all those who played a role in protecting the public and ensuring that order was restored quickly.
“It has been reported that the person at the centre of this incident is a veteran experiencing severe mental health challenges. Time will tell what the full truth of this sorry episode is, but one thing cannot be disputed: there is an urgent need to improve mental health support—especially for those who have served our country and may be carrying unseen burdens from their service.
“There must be a renewed focus on early intervention and better access to mental health services, to ensure that those in crisis receive the help they need and to prevent similar incidents in the future.”