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Police Christmas card to criminals borrows from M&S adverts Police Christmas card to criminals borrows from M&S adverts
(about 1 hour later)
Police in Manchester have sent hundreds of criminals a Christmas card featuring an image of prison food served with a sprig of holly and a cracker as a reminder to stay out of trouble over the festive period.Police in Manchester have sent hundreds of criminals a Christmas card featuring an image of prison food served with a sprig of holly and a cracker as a reminder to stay out of trouble over the festive period.
The card borrows a slogan from a Marks & Spencer advertising campaign as a sarcastic reminder of the grim prospect of Christmas behind bars. One half of the card features an image of Christmas dinner with all the trimmings with the caption “This is not just a Christmas dinner”. The other half shows a warmed-up pie served by a custody sergeant with the caption “This is a GMP custody suite Christmas dinner”. The card borrows a slogan from a Marks & Spencer advertising campaign as a sarcastic reminder of the grim prospect of Christmas behind bars. One half of the card features an image of Christmas dinner with all the trimmings with the caption: “This is not just a Christmas dinner.” The other half shows a warmed-up pie served by a custody sergeant with the caption: “This is a GMP custody suite Christmas dinner.”
The card, which has been sent to almost 1,000 known offenders in the Manchester area, adds: “Be a saint this Christmas or spend it in the nick. Best wishes from Greater Manchester police.” The card, sent to almost 1,000 known offenders in the Manchester area, adds: “Be a saint this Christmas or spend it in the nick. Best wishes from Greater Manchester police.”
Supt Chris Hankinson, a branch commander with the force, said: “Whilst this card does poke a bit of fun at our custody suites’ meal options, there is a serious message behind this. This card is our reminder that we will not tolerate a small handful of people ruining a special time for many, and will take action where appropriate.Supt Chris Hankinson, a branch commander with the force, said: “Whilst this card does poke a bit of fun at our custody suites’ meal options, there is a serious message behind this. This card is our reminder that we will not tolerate a small handful of people ruining a special time for many, and will take action where appropriate.
“We’d ask all recipients of this card to be mindful of their behaviour and to make the right choice – it’s either behave or spend Christmas behind bars. The choice is yours.”“We’d ask all recipients of this card to be mindful of their behaviour and to make the right choice – it’s either behave or spend Christmas behind bars. The choice is yours.”
The Marks & Spencer “Not just any food” campaign began in 2005 with a pudding advert featuring a sultry voiceover from Dervla Kirwan. Sales of the pudding increased by 3,500%. The M&S “Not just any food” campaign was launched in 2005 with a pudding advert featuring a sultry voiceover from Dervla Kirwan. Sales of the pudding increased by 3,500%.