Shopkeeper told to stop putting jokes on adverts

A shop owner has been told by police to withdraw a leaflet advertising his Christmas drink offers because jokes on it were too racy. Bob Singh has also put signs in the windows of his two Port Talbot stores apologising to anyone who took offence.

He said police over-reacted after three officers called to see him and he said he was warned he could be arrested. South Wales Police said Mr Singh was given "appropriate advice" as the jokes were "potentially offensive."

For the last 10 years Mr Singh has included jokes on his festive flyers which are delivered door to door. Some of the jokes included references to overweight people, stereotypes and sexual innuendo. "Someone went into one of the stores and said they did not find the jokes at all funny and stormed out," he said. The staff said they had never seen her as a customer.



"The following day three police officers turned up in a riot van - I was not here and they spoke to my wife. At first she thought it was a practical joke but the officers said they were taking it very seriously."

Mr Singh said his wife was told to withdraw all the leaflets. "The police have not told us which jokes were offensive or given us any guidance. Next year am I going to have to go to the police to get them to check them?"

"I'm a British born national but my parents are from India so they [the jokes] are not going to be racist," he added. He said "the world had gone crazy" and "political correctness had gone too far."

Some of Mr Singh's jokes include:

What is the technical name for three days of horrendous weather followed by bright sunshine? A Welsh Bank Holiday!

What do you call a sheep with no legs? A Cloud!

What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhino? El-if-i-no!

What do you call a deer with no eyes? I have No-I-Dear.