Norfolk café removes golliwog display after police declare it a 'hate incident'

A café owner has removed a display of golliwog dolls after police declared the exhibit a "hate incident".

The café owner, who did not wish to be named when approached for comment, initially defended the dolls which he sells as seaside souvenirs, saying people hadn't complained about "the other parts of the collection".

Golliwog dolls have long been seen as outdated and associated with racism.

Multiple members of the public complained about the display at Old Manor Café in Caister-on-Sea, and an official complaint was filed with Norfolk police.

The display has since been removed and an apology issued by the business.

The man said he had removed them after "patient and polite" conversations with some customers.

The café, which serves traditional English breakfasts, describes staff as "super friendly" on its website, and describes the venue as "good for children". Its owner said: "First of all they're not golliwogs, they're gollies.

"It's stupid, the whole thing has gone f***ed.

"People aren't complaining about the other things I have on display. They're not seeing the whole picture."

However he has since changed his mind, and said: "It was never my intention to cause distress to any member of the public and that I want my café to be a welcoming space for everyone."

One customer, who did not want to be named, said: "We recently dropped in for a bite to eat and were shocked to find the dolls openly on show and available for purchase.

"These racially stereotypical caricatures have been morally unacceptable in this country for years. But not in Norfolk, it would appear.

"They are racially divisive and antisocial."

In a letter of apology sent to the Eastern Daily Press, the owner wrote that he "understands and appreciates the discomfort and concern" selling the figures may incur.

He added: "I would also like to offer my thanks to those people who took the time to discuss, patiently and politely with me, the underlying reasons for the hurt that these images can cause.

"These discussions very much informed my decision to withdraw them from sale."

A golliwog is a black doll-like character originally created by the 19th-century cartoonist Florence Kate Upton, known for their exaggerated features and clothing.

The word "golliwog" became a slur against people of colour in the 20th century, stemming from the doll character which displayed stereotyped and racially insensitive portrayals of black people.

Last year, two Metropolitan police officers were sacked after making offensive jokes about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, including one comparing Meghan to a golliwog toy.

As well as golliwogs, the café contains shelves featuring figurines including Betty Boop and Great Yarmouth fishermen.

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The owner said: "The complainers went home, visited their local police station, who told headquarters, who told Great Yarmouth police, who then told Flegg police.

"Four police forces were involved, all because someone didn’t want to say anything to me."

He said the souvenirs remain popular with some of his customers and he sells "hundreds of them".

A Norfolk Constabulary spokesperson said: "We can confirm police received a complaint about items on display at a café in Caister on 11 April. The report has been recorded as a hate incident, and officers have spoken with the café owner.

"A hate incident is defined as an incident where no crime has been committed, but where the person reporting the incident perceives it was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on protected characteristics."

Earlier this month, five police officers seized a collection of golliwog dolls from the White Hart Inn pub in Grays, Essex, as part of an investigation into an allegation of hate crime reported on 24 February.

While the pub owner defends displaying the dolls as not being racist, the Campaign For Real Ales (CAMRA) has banned the pub from receiving awards or being in its beer guides.