Criticism has been aimed at Exmouth police for ‘mocking’ mental health after an attempted knifepoint robbery and arrest at a supermarket in the town.
The town’s police team turned to social media, posting a supermarket-sweep animated GIF and a now-deleted comment about ‘Clubcard discounts’, revealing how a ‘quite unwell’ man was arrested and detained under the Mental Health Act in connection to an attempted knifepoint robbery in an Exmouth store where an officer was hit over the head with a bottle.
The animation shows two men in a tussle down a supermarket aisle. A write-up from Exmouth police about an arrest at Tesco Express in Brixington praises its officers and calls for ‘respect’ for the supermarket staff, adding ‘It is unclear at this point if the chap was able to get any Clubcard discounts’.
The original post by Exmouth police, which was later edited, and the last paragraph deleted. Image: Facebook
Comments criticised Exmouth police for the use of an ‘inappropriate’ supermarket sweep animation and Clubcard joke. Image: Facebook.
Some of the comments in response to a post by Exmouth police after an attempted robbery in Exmouth. Image: Facebook.
Exmouth police responded to being challenged over its ‘mocking’ of mental health. Image: Facebook.
When the police team was publicly challenged by its Facebook followers over its decision to include the animation and discount ‘joke’, the original police post was edited and Clubcard jibe removed.
Mat Helm, Exmouth and Ottery St Mary police sector inspector, was invited to address the criticism over his team’s decision to include the original post and animation but did not respond to a request for a comment.
Followers of the Exmouth police account challenged the officers’ choice of words and animated image. Image: Facebook.
Followers of the Exmouth police account called for ‘compassion’ and professionalism from the local team, criticising the ‘stupid’ video, adding the ‘joke’ about the Club card was ‘uncalled for’.
However, some heaped praise on the local team, recognising the ‘willingness and dedication’ of officers ‘to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public’.
Words of support for the town’s police were among the criticism. Image: Facebook.
The force defended the post, saying its aim was to highlight the work of the local police team.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: “The intention of the post was not to upset or marginalise anyone, particularly those who are living with or affected by mental health challenges. We recognise that this is an important issue.
“The intention of the post was to highlight that local officers took on a man wielding a large knife in public and were able to safely detain him, even when one of the officers had a bottle of spirits hit over their head.
“Despite this, officers brought the incident to a safe conclusion and managed to keep everyone involved safe.”
She added: “The post meant to highlight the dangers officers face and used the local police social media page to update the community and reduce any fear that the incident may have caused.”
Police were called to the Tesco Express store in Brixington.
Image: Google Street View.
Exmouth police said officers were called to the Brixington Tesco Express after staff shut themselves in a locked office when a man was spotted in the shop carrying a machete knife.
One officer was hit in the face with a glass bottle as police ‘overpowered’ and arrested a man found behind the counter.
Exmouth police praised the ‘cracking work’ of the town’s officers, adding a ‘quite unwell’ man at the scene was detained from custody by the NHS under the Mental Health Act.
The author of the post called for ‘respect’ for the supermarket staff, reporting they were ‘understandably shook up’.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “We were called at 10.15pm on Tuesday 23 June following a report of a man with a knife stealing items in Tesco on Churchill Road, Exmouth.
“The man was aggressive towards officers as he was arrested.
“A local man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of robbery and two common assaults of an emergency worker.
“He has been released on police bail.”
- Do you think the post mocks mental health issues or was a harmless joke? Email your views to newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk
