Vandals damage windows of Essex pub at center of Golliwog Row | UK News
The pub in the middle of a row above a collection of Golliwog dolls was attacked by vandals who drew graffiti and smashed windows.
Police confiscated 15 of the dolls from The White Hart in Gray’s, Essex last week, prompting an angry reaction from the venue’s owners.
Days later, landlady Benice Ryley defied police and displayed more toys – believed to be racist caricatures of black people – behind the bar.
Five windows were damaged in a vandal attack at 12.40am today and Essex Police said extra patrols were being carried out in the area as a result.
The original seizure came as part of an investigation into an allegation of hate crimes reported on February 24.
Essex Police District Commander Tony Atkin said: “Inquiries are underway to determine what happened leading up to this incident and to identify those responsible, including viewing CCTV footage.
“One direction of investigation is that the criminal damage is related to a previous incident that we are currently investigating that is also linked to the White Hart Inn.
“We are continuing to investigate this incident and are asking the public for permission to do so and remain calm.”
The first pub heist came under the spotlight after the MailOnline reported that Suella Braverman had described it as police “meddling in nonsense”.
After the story broke, Facebook posts from Chris Ryley – who owns the pub with his wife Benice – were shared widely on social media, showing his apparent support for far-right views.
In a 2016 post, he shared a picture of one of the dolls with the caption, “We’ve got our Golliwogs, yaay.”
In a comment below, he added, “They hung her in Mississippi years ago.”
Last year he also complained about the possibility of Britain getting a Muslim prime minister, asking: “Did the entire British population agree to live under a Muslim regime?”
The Guardian reported that Essex Police investigated Mr Ryley’s Facebook posts as part of their investigation into the alleged hate crime.
Earlier this week, the Campaign for Real Ales (Camra) ruled out the White Hart Inn from being considered for any of its awards, saying it would not be featured in its Good Beer Guide “as long as these discriminatory puppets remain on display “.
Mr Ryley told the BBC that “a molehill was made into a mountain”, while Ms Ryley hit back at the racism allegations and said the pub often hosts Indian weddings.
No arrests were made in connection with the alleged hate crime.
Mr Atkin added: “If a crime is reported to us we will treat it as such and investigate it thoroughly without fear or favor.
“As with all of our investigations, I would like to urge our communities to work with us and support us.”
Essex Police have urged anyone with information or footage to call 101 or file a report on the police website.
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