Lush relaunches ‘SpyCops’ campaign with rethought posters

Pictures of a police officer’s face emblazoned with the words “paid to lie” were removed from Lush stores last week after its campaign to highlight the so-called ‘spy cops’ scandal was criticised by police and the Home Secretary.

On Wednesday (June 13), the retailer re-launched a clarified version of the marketing scheme that it claims will return the focus onto the “shocking facts”.

The new posters – featuring text claiming the public inquiry into undercover policing is going nowhere and has become increasingly secret – was welcomed by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) as a “marked improvement”.

However, PFEW chair Calum Macleod questioned why these images were not used to begin with.

Mr Macleod said: “What I found astonishing about this campaign is it would appear that Lush did not even appear to consult with those victims whose stories they were using in their campaign, which does make me believe the way this campaign has been orchestrated is nothing short of reckless and foolhardy.

“I also note that the brand have still failed to acknowledge or publicly apologise to the innocent police officers who have been demeaned and defamed by their original ham-fisted attempt which has been roundly condemned by thousands of people.

“The new campaign is a marked improvement of the previous disaster, which begs the question of why they did not lead with this in the first place, unless they intended it to be inflammatory against the majority of our hard working officers.”

On June 1, Lush placed images in the windows of its 104 stores featuring an officer’s face and the slogans “police have crossed the line” and “paid to lie”.

The retailer insists the stunt was intended to draw attention to action of officers in the Special Demonstration Squad who infiltrated campaign groups, used dead children’s identities and had children with women under false names.

However, many took it as an attack on policing in general.

The campaign prompted criticism from Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who tweeted: “Never thought I would see a mainstream British retailer running a public advertising campaign against our hardworking police. This is not a responsible way to make a point.”

Policing and Fire Minister Nick Hurd also described it as badly misjudged.

The images were withdrawn last week, with Lush claiming the decision was made for the safety of its staff.

The new poster reads: “1,000 campaign groups spied on by at least 250 undercover police officers. Infiltrating lives, homes and beds of citizens for 50 years.

“May’s public inquiry: three years, £10 million, increasingly secret and going nowhere.

“Help the victims. #SPYCOPS. Sign the petition.”

A Lush spokesperson said: “It has been incredibly clear over this last week that the plight of the spy cops victims has universal support from all who hear it.

“Therefore we have taken away the distraction of what turned out to be a controversial visual to return the focus onto the shocking facts.”