Pub In Essex That Displayed Golliwog Dolls Graffitied And Vandalised
17 Apr 2023
A pub where golliwog dolls were seized by the police has now been graffitied and vandalised.
Alongside the unwanted artwork five windows at The White Hart Inn in Grays, Essex, were reportedly smashed in at around 12:40am according to Essex police.
Essex police district commander Tony Atkin said: “Inquiries are taking place to establish what happened in the lead-up to this incident and to identify those responsible, and includes viewing CCTV footage.
The pub came into notoriety following the seizure of several racist golly dolls, as part of an investigation into an allegation of hate crime reported on 24 February.
Despite the backlash White Hart Inn landlady Benice Ryley claims to have assembled a replacement collection, with several replacement dolls having been sent to the pub by supporters.
“I’m getting a notice printed saying ‘We’ve got gollies on display, if you find this offensive please don’t come in’,” she said.
“If they don’t like them they can walk out the door”.
“We’ve had loads and loads of support,” she added.
“When people started complaining in 2018, I was sent more gollies in the post. Three have come in the last few days and there are two more in the post”.
Ryley’s husband, Christopher is set to be interviewed by police next month upon his return from holiday in Turkey.