Police force under fire for urging people to contact Samaritans using photo

A police force has been criticised for a Christmas-themed post urging struggling people to contact the Samaritans which used a picture of a pair of legs dangling from a loft.

Wilshire Police’s post wishing users a “Merry Christmas” led to a backlash from social media users who said it resembled a suicide scene.

The Facebook post promoting mental health and domestic violence helplines said: “If you are struggling, however, there is always help at hand, be it Samaritans, Help the Aged, National Domestic Violence Helpline. You aren’t alone.”

The image shared alongside it depicts legs hanging from a loft hatch.

In an attempt to evoke images of Santa coming down a chimney, the force shared a photo of an officer’s feet dangling down the loft while executing a warrant.

One mother who lost her son by suicide just days before Christmas in 2023 told the Wiltshire999s website: “It’s horrific and so distasteful. I can’t believe nobody thought more into the photo. How could they think it was acceptable?

“I mean surely police officers go to awful suicides including hangings on a regular basis.

“You would have thought it was obvious the photo would upset people especially people who have lost love ones in suicides. Hopefully they take it down.”

The post stated it was a photo of “PC Coomb’s feet dangling down the loft hatch at one of our warrants”.

The force posted: “From all of us at Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham Neighbourhood Team, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a safe one.

“We all dream of a perfect Christmas, in reality the turkey may be dry, the gravy lumpy or the last parcel didn’t turn up.

“The main thing is to enjoy the time how you wish to spend it, either with family, friends, or alone watching Wallace and Gromit in peace.

“If you are struggling, however, there is always help at hand, be it Samaritans, Help the Aged, National Domestic Violence Helpline. You aren’t alone.”

More in U.S.

One social media user wrote: “Actually I found this a little distressing as thought it was a reminder that it’s that time of year where loneliness is more apparent and people take their own lives as they don’t see any future.”

Another said: “Looks like someone hanging themselves to me. Not a particularly well thought out post at all.”

A third added: “Not the best image to be used in the same message that mentions struggling, and the Samaritans.”

‘Intended as message of support’

A force spokesperson said: ‘‘In a recent post on the Bradford-on-Avon Facebook page, officers posted a well-intentioned message highlighting the important work of vital support services available for those in crisis.

‘‘We apologise for any distress the accompanying photo may have caused – it was an unfortunate distraction from the key message.

‘‘Once again, we would like to highlight the invaluable work of the important organisations who are available to those who are struggling at Christmas – including the Samaritans, Help the Aged and the National Domestic Violence Helpline.’‘

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel