Essex police have denied being rebuked by Suella Braverman for seizing a collection of golliwog dolls that were on display in a pub.
Officers from the force took several dolls from the White Hart Inn in Grays, Essex, last week as part of an investigation into an alleged hate crime reported in February.
A source close to Braverman suggested the home secretary’s unhappiness had been made “very plain to Essex police so they are under no illusions”, according to MailOnline.
It quoted the source as saying police forces “should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense” and instead focus on “catching criminals”.
But sources at the force said no contact had been made by Braverman over the investigation.
A team of four officers and a trainee attended the pub on Tuesday after a report of someone being racially harassed, alarmed or distressed by the presence of the dolls, which are based on racist caricatures. The force said it was working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service on the matter.
No arrests were made.
The pub’s owner, Benice Ryley, said she has displayed the collection of about 30 dolls, donated by her late aunt and customers, in the pub for nearly 10 years. She told the PA Media: “They’re my childhood history, it’s a part of our inheritance. I can’t see any harm. I don’t know how they can find it offensive.”
Ryley’s husband, Chris, is set to be questioned when he returns from abroad in May.
Braverman’s claimed intervention came days after she was criticised for singling out British Pakistani men over grooming gang concerns, despite government research showing no basis for such a link. Last year she railed against “Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati”.
In a statement, Essex police said: “We are investigating an allegation of hate crime reported to us on 24 February.
“Essex police have discussed the progression of this case with the Crown Prosecution Service. On Tuesday 4 April, officers attended a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with that investigation.
“The force is proud of the work we do prevent crime, tackle offenders and build trust and confidence in all communities.”
