PSNI investigating after ‘**** the Pope’ shouted over tannoy system to shocked shoppers in Tesco’s

Members of the public were left shocked at the abusive message - announced over the company tannoy system in Ballymena on Tuesday night.

It has been reported that the words were shouted out by a member of the public who was able to access the tannoy announcement equipment.

A Tesco spokesperson has said: “We are aware of an incident that took place at our superstore in Ballymena yesterday evening and have reported this to the police.”

The spokesperson added: “We apologise to any customers who were in the store when it happened.”

A PSNI spokesman said it is being treated as a “hate incident”.

“Police in Ballymena received a report of an incident at a shop on the Larne Link Road in Ballymena on Tuesday 13th October,” he said.

“It was reported that a male youth accessed the Tannoy system at around 10.20pm on Tuesday evening and shouted a sectarian comment.

“Enquiries into the matter are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police in Ballymena on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 643 14/10/20. “

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.newsletter.co.uk now to sign up.Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe