Officers invited back for tea after seaside break controversy

Officers have been told they are “always welcome” for a cuppa after a newspaper criticised them for taking a tea break in a local café. Last week The Sun ran a story attacking eight Devon and Cornwall Police officers for taking their rest perioid at the seaside ‘Coffee Shack’ in Plymouth. The paper acknowledged the officers were entitled to a 45-minute break during their eight-hour shift, but raised concerns about the number of officers having a “chinwag”. The story prompted a huge backlash online as members of the public praised the “fantastic job” done by “hard working, courageous officers”. Officers responded by posting pictures of themselves enjoying various drinks on duty with the hashtag ‘#BrewsForBlues.’ A spokesperson for the café has now said officers have been having their breaks at the Coffee Shack for years and that being out in public makes them more approachable. They added: “We’re open 365 days a year, we never close. So if anyone wants to come and join us for a coffee including the police – please do so, you’re always welcome.” On Sunday (April 16), the paper also ran a story after photographing an Essex Police officer having a go on a zipline in a park. The coverage comes months after officers were criticised after being pictured smiling at a Christmas Market in Newcastle. The service launched a similar response, with officers uploading pictures of themselves smiling with the hashtag ‘#SmileForTheBBC’. The officers were backed by senior colleagues, with Northumbria Police Chief Constable Steve Ashman describing the story as “utter garbage”. Andy Cooke, chief constable of Merseyside Police, tweeted: “Shock horror. Police officers taking a break and drinking tea. In public. Brilliant scoop. Makes you proud of the British press.” Simon Edens, chief constable of Northamptonshire Police, tweeted: “I encourage all officers and staff in @Northants Police to take their break when they can, in or outside their station.” According to The Sun, the area around the café experiences 43 crimes a day, with four reported during the officers’ break. The day after the story was published, author Alex West tweeted that he was glad to see the “lively discussion” it had provoked and the “huge support” on display for the police. Mr West, the son of former Security Minister Admiral Lord West, was suspended from The Sun in 2008 after being arrested for alleged drug offences. He was released on bail without charge.