Daily Express: Cop shop for babies

By Martyn Brown

A police force has been rapped for spending £10,000 on setting up an online gift shop ­selling baby clothes bearing prison slogans.

Among the goods are bodysuits inscribed with the words “Out at last” and a bib which reads “I’ve been inside for nine months”.

Kent Police is also offering items which criminals could use to impersonate officers such as official-looking ties, cufflinks and pens. And the force, which deals with thousands of drink-­related incidents a year, is selling hip flasks bearing its logo.

Matthew Elliott, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, branded the scheme a waste of money. “Kent Police is out of touch if it thinks ­merchandising is more important than crime-fighting,” he said.

Playgroup volunteer Sarah Newman, 47, from Ash­ford, said: “Old folk could be taken in by some­one with these accessories. They look authentic.”

The force said the shop would “help boost funds for crime prevention while meeting a growing demand for police-themed products”.