Police are carrying out “proactive patrols” in the Kilrea area of Co Derry after a video emerged of a suspicious “yellow man”.
The video was taken by Gerard McFerran after he spotted the man on the Vow Road at around 12.30am on December 27, as he questioned the man about why he was dressed in a long yellow coat, with yellow trousers and boots.
The man was also wearing a white mask and a black wig at the time.
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There have been reports on social media that the “yellow man” was armed at the time of the incident, however, Gerard has said this has come from online speculation and he did not believe the man was armed with a weapon at the time.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Gerard said: “I was driving down the Vow Road when I saw the man wearing in all yellow walking down the road and it seemed very strange.
“I was asking him why he was dressed like that and he mostly ignored me and just kept walking. All he said was that ‘it wasn’t him’ and that he couldn’t get the mask off and that he had been staying with a friend after gettng a train up here.
“It was all very strange and made no sense at all, but I have seen people on social media saying that the man was armed which is not something I ever said. I think because he was fidgeting in his pocket people thought this, but it wasn’t the case.”
Police have said officers will be conducting proactive foot patrols in a number of locations today including Kilrea, Rasharkin and Dunloy, following reports of a suspicious man seen in these areas.
Inspector Burns said: “As a service, we take all reports very seriously and I hope that the visibility of our officers today, alongside our commitment to continue to patrol shared public spaces, provides reassurance and boosts confidence that we are committed to doing everything we can to make areas safe.
“If you are out and about and notice anything suspicious or perhaps you are concerned about the welfare of an individual, please report your concerns to our officers on the ground, or by calling 999 in an emergency, or 101 if it’s a non-emergency.”
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