PSNI issue St Paddy's Day warning
Public urged to avoid beauty spots as officers ramp up patrols
The PSNI is warning there will be an increased police presence this Saint Patrick's Day.
The force is also urging the public to avoid overcrowded beauty spots and adhere to all the Covid-19 regulations.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd issued a reminder to everyone to stay safe:
"If we do feel that those areas are becoming crowded to the point that there is a substantial health risk then there's a very real possibility that we'll be turning traffic around and diverting people from an area in the interests of public safety.
"We've done that before in operations on the north coast or in Newcastle and other places like that.
"My appeal today for people not to travel to those places is about trying to manage that."
He had this direct message for the public:
"You could conceivably end up sitting in a traffic queue for an hour only to be sent back home because of the risks involved.
"I would ask people to reflect on that and where possible to stay at home or stay local."