‘Yo, this is Derbyshire Police!’: ‘Cringe-worthy’ moment officer raps out a reminder to follow lockdown rules – before stunt backfires and is ridiculed as ’embarrassing’
- The police car rap was filmed on Normanton Road in Derby on Saturday night
- The rap has lyrics like: ‘listen up quick, take our advice and you may not get sick’
- But many on social media have branded it as ’embarrassing’ for the police force
A Derbyshire Police officer used a megaphone to rap a reminder for people to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
In scenes filmed on Normanton Road in Derby on Saturday night, a police car drives slowly down the road as the officer leans out of the window holding a megaphone.
The rap – which has been branded ‘cringeworthy and embarrassing’ – includes the lines: ‘Yo, this is Derby police, don’t be afraid, we come in peace. The Government said it so listen up quick, take our advice and you may not get sick.’
In scenes filmed on Normanton Road in Derby on Saturday night, a police car drives slowly down the road as the officer leans out of the window holding a megaphone
It goes on to say: ‘Stay at home wherever you can, don’t go out on the streets with your fam.
‘Don’t walk around in two or more or we’ll come knocking at your door. Only go to the shop for essential things like milk, bread, fruit and cheese strings.
‘Go stretch your legs but only one time, do as we say or you might get fined. Please help us to fight this disease, lots of love from your fave PCs.’
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said that the rap wasn’t an official initiative but that officers are encouraged to be creative and engage with the public.
The rap – which has been branded ‘cringeworthy and embarrassing’ – includes the lines: ‘Yo, this is Derby police, don’t be afraid, we come in peace. The Government said it so listen up quick, take our advice and you may not get sick’
They added: ‘Anything we can do to help get the message across of the importance of staying home as much as possible is a good thing.’
Ajit Singh Atwal, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Derby, tweeted the video which now has over a thousand likes.
The tweet read: ‘Brilliant Message from Derbyshire police on Normanton Rd last night that’s the language people speak & understand round here. Its a Rap, stay safe and stay at home, PC Mcginley you’re an absolute legend.’
Ajit Singh Atwal, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Derby, tweeted the video which now has over a thousand likes
He told the Evening Standard: ‘I think it’s great. It’s nice to have a bit of light-hearted fun – a bit of banter that gets the message across but in a positive way.’
However the video has been branded embarrassing online. One Twitter user said: ‘Absolutely cringeworthy’ while another commented: ‘Police embarrassing themselves again.’
Two weeks ago Derbyshire Police took the extraordinary step of using one of its drones to film dog walkers, ramblers and a group posing for Instagram pictures on a cliff top at sunset – highlighting their movements and accusing them of making an ‘unessential’ trip.
The video has been branded embarrassing online. One Twitter user said: ‘Absolutely cringeworthy’ while another commented: ‘Police embarrassing themselves again’
Using the unmanned aircraft they also gathered number plates from parked cars and traced their owners to their homes in Sheffield saying: ‘Walking your dog in the Peak District: Not essential.’
Some of the force’s actions have received a backlash online, with many saying their response to the coronavirus crisis has been too severe.