A “distressing” picture launched by Wiltshire Police urging individuals to contact Samaritans has been closely criticised.

The social media put up was uploaded with good intent to advertise psychological well being and home violence helplines, nevertheless, members of the general public have mentioned it appears like a suicide scene.

The police pressure issued a picture displaying a pair of legs dangling from a loft hatch alongside a message wishing individuals a Merry Christmas. 

Regardless of the put up stating it was a photograph of “PC COOMB’s ft dangling down the loft hatch at one in all our warrants”, social media customers have been fast to criticise the selection of picture, claiming it resembled a suicide scene. 

Talking to Wiltshire 999s, one mom who misplaced her son by suicide over Christmas in 2023 mentioned: “It’s horrific and so distasteful. I can’t consider no one thought extra into the picture. How may they assume it was acceptable?

“I imply certainly cops go to terrible suicides together with hangings frequently.

“You’d have thought it was apparent the picture would upset individuals particularly individuals who have misplaced love ones in suicides. Hopefully they take it down or I’ll complain within the new yr.”

Within the social media message, the pressure mentioned: “From all of us at Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham Neighbourhood Crew, we want you all a really Merry Christmas and hope you’ve gotten a secure one.

“All of us dream of an ideal Christmas, in actuality the turkey could also be dry, the gravy lumpy or the final parcel didn’t flip up.

“The primary factor is to benefit from the time the way you want to spend it, both with household, buddies, or alone watching Wallace and Gromit in peace.

“In case you are struggling, nevertheless, there may be all the time assist at hand, be it Samaritans, Assist the Aged, Nationwide Home Violence Helpline. You aren’t alone.”

Fb customers then commented beneath the put up sharing their disapproval. One person wrote: “Truly I discovered this a little bit distressing as thought it was a reminder that it’s that point of yr the place loneliness is extra obvious and folks take their very own life as they don’t see any future.”

One other mentioned: “Appears like somebody hanging themselves to me. Not a very effectively thought out put up in any respect.”

Whereas one commented: “Not the most effective picture for use in the identical message that mentions struggling, and the Samaritans.”

After deleting the social media put up, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police responded in a press release: “In a current put up on the Bradford on Avon Fb web page, officers posted a well-intentioned message highlighting the essential work of important assist companies obtainable for these in disaster.

“We apologise for any misery the accompanying picture might have precipitated – it was an unlucky distraction from the important thing message.

“As soon as once more, we wish to spotlight the invaluable work of the essential organisations who can be found to those that are struggling at Christmas – together with the Samaritans, Assist the Aged and the Nationwide Home Violence Helpline.”