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| What led to a police probe over golly dolls in a pub in Essex? | What led to a police probe over golly dolls in a pub in Essex? |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| CCTV images from inside the pub showed officers seizing several dolls | CCTV images from inside the pub showed officers seizing several dolls |
| A hate crime investigation is under way after golliwog dolls were seized from a pub in Essex. What led to the police involvement and why has it become such a big political talking point? | |
| How did the investigation start? | How did the investigation start? |
| Essex Police said a member of the public reported being racially distressed on 24 February after attending the White Hart Inn, in Grays, Essex. | Essex Police said a member of the public reported being racially distressed on 24 February after attending the White Hart Inn, in Grays, Essex. |
| Five officers attended the pub, where they seized several of the racially offensive dolls on 4 April. | Five officers attended the pub, where they seized several of the racially offensive dolls on 4 April. |
| Police said no-one had been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation, and the landlord would be questioned when he returned from abroad next month. | Police said no-one had been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation, and the landlord would be questioned when he returned from abroad next month. |
| Officers were in discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service about the case before the items were taken last week, the force added. | Officers were in discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service about the case before the items were taken last week, the force added. |
| Owner Benice Ryley said she has displayed the collection of about 30 dolls, donated by her late aunt and customers, in the pub for nearly 10 years. | Owner Benice Ryley said she has displayed the collection of about 30 dolls, donated by her late aunt and customers, in the pub for nearly 10 years. |
| Was Suella Braverman involved? | Was Suella Braverman involved? |
| Essex Police said it was "categorically not true" that Suella Braverman had contacted the force | Essex Police said it was "categorically not true" that Suella Braverman had contacted the force |
| Following the seizure, reports emerged suggesting the home secretary had reprimanded the force. | Following the seizure, reports emerged suggesting the home secretary had reprimanded the force. |
| A source close to the home secretary said her unhappiness at the incident had been passed on to the force, the Mail Online first reported. | A source close to the home secretary said her unhappiness at the incident had been passed on to the force, the Mail Online first reported. |
| It quoted a Home Office source as saying police forces "should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense" and instead focus on "catching criminals". | It quoted a Home Office source as saying police forces "should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense" and instead focus on "catching criminals". |
| Essex Police said it was "categorically not true" that Ms Braverman had contacted the force about the probe but did not rule out having been contacted by the Home Office. | Essex Police said it was "categorically not true" that Ms Braverman had contacted the force about the probe but did not rule out having been contacted by the Home Office. |
| In a statement, the force said: "In addition, as is the case in all investigations across every police force, we maintain operational independence from the Home Office, which ensures that every investigation is carried out without fear or favour." | In a statement, the force said: "In addition, as is the case in all investigations across every police force, we maintain operational independence from the Home Office, which ensures that every investigation is carried out without fear or favour." |
| The Home Office has been approached by the BBC for comment. | The Home Office has been approached by the BBC for comment. |
| Why are the dolls offensive? | Why are the dolls offensive? |
| The dolls are based on 18th Century minstrels and are regarded as racist caricatures. | The dolls are based on 18th Century minstrels and are regarded as racist caricatures. |
| The dolls first appeared on jars of Robertson's Jam in 1910 and became one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. | The dolls first appeared on jars of Robertson's Jam in 1910 and became one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. |
| It spawned a range of toys and collectibles. In the 1980s, the name became Golly amid accusations that the character perpetuated stereotypes. It was finally dropped in 2001. | It spawned a range of toys and collectibles. In the 1980s, the name became Golly amid accusations that the character perpetuated stereotypes. It was finally dropped in 2001. |
| The golliwog is a fictional character created by Florence Kate Upton that appeared in children's books in the late 19th Century, usually depicted as a type of rag doll. | The golliwog is a fictional character created by Florence Kate Upton that appeared in children's books in the late 19th Century, usually depicted as a type of rag doll. |
| It has become controversial for its perceived racist connotations. | It has become controversial for its perceived racist connotations. |
| Guidance from media regulator Ofcom categorised it as a highly offensive term. | Guidance from media regulator Ofcom categorised it as a highly offensive term. |
| Mrs Ryley, who runs the pub with her husband, said she could not "see any harm" in displaying them and was "angry" they had been taken away. | Mrs Ryley, who runs the pub with her husband, said she could not "see any harm" in displaying them and was "angry" they had been taken away. |
| She also said she did not understand how people could be offended by the dolls. | She also said she did not understand how people could be offended by the dolls. |
| What happens next? | What happens next? |
| The landlord of a pub in Essex is due to be questioned by police when he returns from abroad over allegations of a hate crime | The landlord of a pub in Essex is due to be questioned by police when he returns from abroad over allegations of a hate crime |
| Essex Police said the pub's landlord would be questioned when he returned from abroad next month, as part of the ongoing investigation. | Essex Police said the pub's landlord would be questioned when he returned from abroad next month, as part of the ongoing investigation. |
| The offences being considered fall under racially aggravated public order offences, the force said. | The offences being considered fall under racially aggravated public order offences, the force said. |
| Following an investigation the force would need to send any possible charges to the Crown Prosecution Service for a final charging decision to be made. | Following an investigation the force would need to send any possible charges to the Crown Prosecution Service for a final charging decision to be made. |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Suella Braverman | Suella Braverman |
| Grays | Grays |
| Racism | Racism |