Police have launched a probe into a police officer who told an anti-migrant protester the warning he was issuing was "a load of b******s".
The West Midlands officer visited a 37-year-old father on Friday afternoon to provide a leaflet outlining expected conduct at public gatherings, ahead of a planned demonstration in Nuneaton.
Video footage captured the officer saying: "Warwickshire [Police] have asked me to come round and just, er, basically it's a load of b*******, mate, but it's about this protest tomorrow in Warwickshire."
He continued with an apology, laughing: "It sounds daft, so I apologise, and it's really woeful. It's not something I agree with, but I've been asked to do it."
The homeowner responded to the officers by requesting they return the leaflet to their superiors with a message that residents "will no longer be silent" and instructing them to "f*** themselves" - adding "from me, with love".
The construction worker later said he was unaware why police had targeted him specifically.
He noted that multiple Coventry residents received similar visits before the demonstration.
After the father shared the doorbell recording online, the footage spread rapidly across social media platforms, accumulating millions of views as users circulated the exchange between the officer and the resident.
<img data-id="fixed-image" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/a-police-officer-has-been-recorded-on-doorbell-footage-whilst-on-a-visit-to-warn-a-resident-about-attending-a-protest-against.png?id=61447278&width=980" alt="A police officer has been recorded on doorbell footage whilst on a visit to " warn"="" a="" resident="" about="" attending="" protest="" against="" illegal="" migrants"="" width="100%" height="auto">
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|A police officer has been recorded on doorbell footage whilst on a visit to "warn" a resident about attending a protest against illegal migrants
Reform leader Nigel Farage condemned the police's approach as "two-tier policing" in response to the incident.
He said: "Anybody who wants to peacefully protest about the growing sense of anger around the country over sexual assaults and crimes being committed by young men is being told either not to go, or their online conversations are now being censored."
Conservative veteran David Davis criticised the police priorities, describing their actions as "foolishly heavy-handed".
He suggested: "People in the Midlands will be saying, 'Why aren't you investigating my burglary?'"
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|The officer admitted that issuing the warning was 'not something he agreed with'
Both politicians questioned the allocation of police resources towards pre-emptive visits rather than addressing actual crimes.
The demonstration against illegal migration proceeded peacefully on Saturday, drawing hundreds of participants to Warwickshire County Council's town hall in Nuneaton.
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the incident, confirming they are examining the video evidence and conducting interviews with the officer involved.
Despite facing internal scrutiny, the officer has received widespread public backing on social media platforms.
GB News |
Protesters took to the streets across in da emonstration against the use of migrant hotels
One user commented: "This copper needs a raise," whilst others praised him as a hero for his candid admission about the nature of his assigned task.
The force has not indicated when their investigation will conclude or what potential consequences the officer might face.
Counter-protesting groups were also seen outside the buildings, with both sides remaining peaceful in their demonstrations.
A spokesman from West Midlands Police: "We’re aware of footage circulating on social media showing an officer visiting a property.
"The footage is being reviewed and we are speaking to the officer in relation to the circumstances.
"This visit was part of the work our officers have been doing to support Warwickshire Police in their engagement and preparations for a planned protest in Warwickshire this weekend."