ASA bans police terror radio ad
A police advert which urged radio listeners to be suspicious of neighbours who spend a lot of time at home, keep their curtains drawn and use money instead of cash cards has been banned.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) demanded that the anti-terrorism radio advert be pulled, claiming it could cause "serious offence" to those "who might identify with the behaviours referred to."
The advert, which was broadcast on TalkSport, is part of a campaign by the Association of Chief Police Officers to raise awareness of terrorism, but attracted 18 complaints by listeners who thought it encouraged victimisation of reclusive individuals.
The radio station told the ASA that the ad’s script avoided stereotyping, made no appeals to prejudice and focused on activities which "together" could "add up" to indicating the presence of illegal activity.
"The man at the end of the street doesn't talk to his neighbours much, because he likes to keep himself to himself," the advert said. "He pays with cash because he doesn't have a bank card, and he keeps his curtains closed because his house is on a bus route. This may mean nothing, but together it could all add up to you having suspicions," it added.
The Association of Police Officers defended the campaign, saying it was necessary in the fight against terrorism: "The aim of the series of adverts was to alert the public to a range of behaviours that individually could mean nothing but taken together may be construed as suspicious and might be an indication of terrorist activity," a spokesperson said.
"This advert was based on trends identified by police and specific circumstances which had been amongst evidence given in court at terrorism trials."