Police have called on Amazon to remove an ‘offensive’ t-shirt featuring a ‘Blue lives murder’ logo from sale on its site.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file British officers, branded the shirt ‘deeply offensive’ as it shows an officer with a raised baton, appearing to attack a member of the public.
Costing £17.95, the garment comes in blue and shows a white silhouette of an officer in a US uniform striking at a pair of outstretched arms.
Police have called on Amazon to remove an ‘offensive’ t-shirt featuring a ‘Blue lives murder’ logo from sale on its site
But the Federation says it has been contacted by ‘disgusted colleagues’ and demanded the removal of the range of clothing because the graphic suggests police brutality.
Chairman John Apter wrote to Amazon’s managing director Doug Gurr, calling for him to take immediate action on the shirts being advertised on the website by the Black History Afrocentric Company.
On Twitter the Federation said the immediate stopping of the sale of the ‘disgusting’ t-shirts is backed by Home Secretary, Priti Patel.
John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, said: ‘In recent weeks we have rightly praised my colleagues for their outstanding bravery and courage and for saving lives. I was therefore disgusted to see these products being sold on an Amazon platform.
On Twitter the Police Federation said the immediate stopping of the sale of the ‘disgusting’ t-shirts is backed by Home Secretary, Priti Patel
Among those to speak out against the t-shirt was police officer Carl Blower, 50, (pictured right, with Gino D’Acampo) who has been working with Greater Manchester police for 18 years
‘These items are deeply offensive, not only to police officers but to many members of the public.
‘I have raised this matter directly with the Home Secretary and she is as appalled as the entire police family is about these products.
Mr Blower said he was ‘appalled and disgusted’ by the shirts
‘On behalf of the 120,000 police officers we represent I have written directly to the Managing Director of Amazon calling on the company to stop the sale of the t-shirts on their platform.
‘The ball is now firmly in Amazon’s court and I am asking the company to do the right thing and remove them from sale immediately.’
More than 32,000 people have signed a petition asking Amazon to remove the ‘offensive’ clothing, which many say is fuelling a ‘larger divide.’
Among those to complain was serving police officer Carl Blower, who has been working with Greater Manchester police for 18 years.
He took to the retailer’s Facebook page saying: ‘I am appalled and disgusted that Amazon would sell and associate themselves to T-shirts with Blue Lives Murder slogans.
‘You are adding to the cause of what is wrong with the world today. Please ban all these products.’
Facebook user Lesley Michel also posted a picture of the shirt and said: ‘Shame on you Amazon! #Bluelivesmatter’.
Lawrence Hemmings added: ‘Disgusting, I will no longer use Amazon.’
And Kate John said: ‘Still live to buy, how dare you.’
Speaking today, 50-year-old Mr Blower said: ‘We as officers work hard to build bridges and trust with our communities, especially in those communities that are largely ethnic.
‘What went on in America with George Floyd was wrong and the officer will be punished, but tarring all officers with the same brush is wrong and risks those that risk their lives daily so the public can be safe.
‘It’s not just black lives matter. All lives matter.
More than 32,000 people have signed a petition asking Amazon to remove the ‘offensive’ clothing, which many say is fuelling a ‘larger divide’
Two shirts reading ‘Blue Lives Murder’ that were available to purchase on Amazon
‘The world has gone crazy.
‘Wearing T-shirts with blue lives murder is wrong and disrespectful towards those officers who work hard in the community.’
Police in the US and Britain faced accusations of brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of cops in Minneapolis last month that sparked mass protests around the world.
The Police Federation was set up in the UK in 1919 because officers were banned from joining a trade union and campaigns for the conditions of its almost 120,000 members.
MailOnline has contacted Amazon for comment.