A police and crime committee chief today lashed out at officers filmed performing the Macarena at a Pride festival, insisting “they are there to enforce the law, not to dance”.
Locals have reacted with anger after several posts were published showing officers on duty having fun from the festival on Lincolnshire Police’s social media accounts, including the video of officers dancing.
Local residents have criticized the force’s reporting and questioned why officials are spending time at the festival instead of fighting crime on the streets.
Her concerns were reinforced by Susan Hall, chair of the Greater London Authority’s Police and Crime Committee.
She told MailOnline: “Police at this event were there to uphold the law and keep people safe, not to join the celebrations.
“When so many victims of crime are ignored and their cases remain unsolved, we shouldn’t have uniformed cops doing the macarena when they should be doing their jobs.
“The Lincolnshire Police Chief needs to reflect on his decision to allow and defend this behaviour.”
But the force’s top police officer, Chris Haward, has hit back at critics, saying officers were present to ensure everyone enjoyed a “safe” pride.
He added he “expects” his officers to engage with the community and “join in, even dance” — as long as it doesn’t distract from their duties.
Only a few hours later, after some major fighting in the city, a dissolution order had to be issued.
Susan Hall, Chair of the Greater London Authority’s Police and Criminal Affairs Committee, told MailOnline: “We shouldn’t have uniformed police officers doing the macarena when they are supposed to be doing their job.”
The video was posted last night and showed officers enjoying themselves at the Pride festival
Officers may all be able to keep time, but many wondered why they were on duty at the festival instead of fighting the actual crime
The footage shows dozens of people in brightly colored clothing holding LGBTQ+ flags and enjoying themselves at the festival while loud music plays in the background.
Around 11 people can be seen in the video dancing to the Macarena, four of whom are fully uniformed police officers.
Many others stand around and watch the officers.
The force appear to have posted photos and videos online to show their commitment to the community – but their decision backfired after backlash quickly surfaced on social media.
Just two to three hours after the video was shared on social media, police released another tweet announcing that a distribution order had been issued throughout the city center after a series of major clashes over the previous 24 hours.
Many on social media pointed out the dancing officials and questioned why they weren’t fighting crime instead of dancing at the festival.
One social media user said the video made her feel “less safe” on the street, adding, “I want a police force that takes MVAWG (male violence against women and girls) seriously.”
A second added: “What a joke Lincoln Police please do the job you signed up for show respect for the uniform you wear.”
A third said: “Roommates with Lincoln. The next time your home is broken into and you really want the police to be there, tell the operator there is a Pride event at your house.”
But some praised the officers for being so involved in the community. A local said it was a “shining example of policing” to see such a connection to the community.
Chief Constable Chris Haward today released a statement saying: “Lincolnshire Police Officers are with Pride to ensure all attendees have a safe and happy event.
“Lincoln Pride is a celebration of inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community and as Lincolnshire Police we are here to support them and build trust in our service.
“I expect my officers and staff to engage with people attending Pride. to chat, laugh, join in and even dance where appropriate and does not distract from their duties.
“Policing is not just about enforcement and patrol, it is also about engagement, understanding and participation in the community.
“We want everyone attending Lincoln Pride to know that we are there for them and that our service to the Lincolnshire communities is truly comprehensive. We want to treat every member of the public we serve with fairness and impartiality.
“Pride is one of the many wonderful community events across the county where we’re there to oversee the police, but also to allow people to look behind the uniform and see who we are.”
At first, the police officers were almost the only people dancing to the music in the area
It comes at a time when police are under increasing pressure for high levels of unsolved crime.
Figures released in June this year show police have failed to solve a single break-in in nearly half the country’s neighborhoods since 2019, figures have revealed.
Out of more than 32,000 communities analyzed, 16,000 – or 46 percent – had all burglary cases closed in a three-year period without a suspect being charged by police.
Nearly 2,000 of the neighborhoods, each with around 3,000 residents, saw at least 25 burglaries, but none were solved.
The armed forces are also coming under increased scrutiny after a spate of scandals over the past 18 months, particularly in London.
The kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by an acting Metropolitan Police officer, and the unlawful supervision of a vigil in her honor, shocked the country, but dozens of crimes against women and girls by acting police officers have since surfaced across the UK.
Strip searches of children have also provoked a massive backlash from the public, particularly from members of ethnic minorities, who are disproportionately the targets of stops and searches.
There are fears that crime rates could increase if the cost-of-living crisis worsens next year.
