Police faced substantial criticism for their Christmas message encouraging those in need to reach out to Samaritans, accompanied by an image of legs dangling from a loft. The post, which intended to spread goodwill and awareness for mental health and domestic violence resources, featured a photo that many social media users found reminiscent of a suicide scene.
Alongside festive wishes, the Wiltshire Police post underscored that support is available through various helplines – Samaritans, Help the Aged, National Domestic Violence Helpline – assuring people they are not alone.
The problematic image showed legs hanging from a loft hatch. The intention was to create a Santa-like visual of someone descending a chimney, using a picture taken during a police warrant, showing an officer’s feet hanging from the loft.
However, the imagery left several individuals stunned by its insensitivity. A distressed mother who tragically lost her son to suicide just before Christmas last year shared her dismay with Wiltshire 999s.
She condemned the photograph: “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.”
The grieving mother insisted such an image would naturally upset many, especially those who have experienced loss due to suicide, urging the force to remove the photo.
The original post explained that the image showed “PC COOMB’s feet dangling down the loft hatch at one of our warrants”.
The neighbourhood team took to social media, wishing locals: “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.”
They added: “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.”
One person responded online with concern: “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 life as they don’t see any future.”
Another criticised the post saying, “Looks like someone hanging themselves to me. Not a particularly well thought out post at all.”
A third expressed disapproval by noting, “Not the best image to be used in the same message that mentions struggling, and the Samaritans.”
The police have yet to make a statement.
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