The arrests of two women during a pro-Palestinian protest in Belfast did not breach police guidelines, an investigation has found.

However, the Police Ombudsman raised concerns after officers took no action against two other women suspected of similar actions.

Sue Pentel, 72, and Martine McCullough, who is in her 50s, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following reports that stickers had been placed on a cash machine outside Barclays Bank in Castle Place in May 2025.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also accepted a recommendation to improve the performance of a custody officer who recorded identical information about both arrests, despite the circumstances being different.

The Ombudsman found the arrests did not breach police policy or the PSNI's Code of Ethics, but recommended measures to improve the performance of two officers involved.

Meanwhile, the custody officer accepted he had been negligent but said he had not acted with any ill intent.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the investigation found officers had not acted unlawfully and that no misconduct had been identified.

"There was, however, some shortcomings in aspects of the police response and in the recording of information," he said.

Singleton said action to improve performance had been accepted in respect of two officers, while no further action was required against a third.

He added that the PSNI would ensure lessons were learned to support officers and staff.

The PSNI accepted the Ombudsman's recommendation in relation to one arresting officer, who failed to act after another suspect was identified to him by CCTV operators.

It decided no action was required against the other arresting officer, who said he was unaware the women arrested were not those initially reported to police.

Pentel previously said the protest had been peaceful and that campaigners felt they were "being criminalised".

She denied the allegation of criminal damage and said the cash machine had been working when she left.

The PSNI defended the arrests at the time, saying officers' actions had been "lawful and proportionate".