White Hart Inn, Grays, has ‘golliwog’ dolls seized by police

Benice Ryley, 61, was quizzed by six officers after police received an anonymous complaint about The White Hart Inn in Grays.

She and husband Chris, 64, who is currently abroad, have displayed their collection of 15 dolls after receiving them as gifts from customers over the years.

On Tuesday (4/4) Essex Police entered the pub and confiscated the dolls, which are based on 18th century minstrels and now regarded as racist caricatures, saying they were investigating a "hate crime".

CCTV shows six officers walk into the bar and question Benice at a table.

One officer inspects the bar before gathering the dolls and placing them into a clear evidence bag.

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Video: SWNS

Speaking to Thurrock Nub News, Bernice said: "Apparently a visitor to the pub had been quite upset about them and made a complaint.

“Chris is away abroad and will be until the middle of May.

"Police said as he is the licensee they need to interview him and they have taken the dolls away in the interim.”

The couple have run the White Hart Inn for the past 17 years after taking over when the boozer had become run down.

The incident comes after the couple refused to remove the dolls after the local authority received a complaint in 2018.

Benice and Chris Ryley (Image: Benice Ryley / SWNS)

Bernice added: "I don't understand why we have to go through all this again."

"We are quite happy to call them dolls, not golliwogs, but even the officer who wrote down the inventory as he was taking them away described the larger one as a golliwog and the others as golly dolls," she continued.

"So even the police don't know what to call them.

"I understand that some people may not like them and they are entitled to that view, but they don't have to come into the pub.

"As far as we are aware we are not breaking any laws by displaying them, and that was proved last time when we were investigated.

"If we were not breaking the law then, why are we breaking the law now?

"It took six officers to come and remove a shelf full of dollies. What a waste of taxpayers’ money.

"When the police officers came, I pointed to the dolls and said ‘they haven't done anything.'

"The gollies all went quietly - none of them resisted arrest at all.

"I think the racist people are the ones who complain – it’s their problem, not us.

"I have so many different cultures come in here, we are definitely not racist. We do many Indian weddings, for example.”

Benice is demanding the dolls are immediately returned and has vowed to put them back behind the bar.

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She fumed: "It is unreal - we haven't broken the law and there is no legal stuff that says I can't display them. It's just silly."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are investigating an allegation of hate crime reported to us on 24 February. 

"Essex Police have discussed the progression of this case with the Crown Prosecution Service. 

"On Tuesday, 4 April, officers attended a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with that investigation.

"The force is proud of the work we do prevent crime, tackle offenders and build trust and confidence in all communities."