Police drive slammed insensitive ‘ft dangling out of attic’ Christmas message
Wiltshire Police left Facebook users gob-smacked after the force posted an ill thought-out post to wish the local community Merry Christmas while urging struggling people to contact the Samaritans
A police force has faced intense backlash over a Christmas-themed faux-pas after they shared an insensitive post urging struggling people to contact the Samaritans, alongside a pair of legs dangling from a loft.
Wiltshire Police’s attempt to wish Facebook users a “Merry Christmas ” fell flat with distressed social media users, who complained it resembled a suicide scene. The post was a well-meaning attempt to promote mental health and domestic violence helplines.
The post, which had an image of legs hanging from a loft hatch, read: “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 force’ tried to evoke images of Santa Claus coming down a chimney. They shared a a photo of an officer’s feet dangling down the loft while executing a warrant – leaving Facebook users astounded.
One user, a mother who lost her son by suicide just days before Christmas in 2023, blasted the force for the photo, and said: “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” and 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.”
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 life as they don’t see any future.”
Another fumed that it “looks like someone hanging themselves to me. Not a particularly well thought out post at all,” while another added that the post was “not the best image to be used in the same message that mentions struggling, and the Samaritans.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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