A police community support officer (PCSO) has urged parents to not tell their children the police will take them away if they are naughty.

PCSO Lee Compton, of the Colchester Community Policing Team, took to social media after hearing several mums and dads say to their children: “Be good or the policeman will take you away” while walking around the town.

But while many parents may have meant the remark with the best of intentions, he said this is not the best message to give out to young people – as it could affect the trust they have in police officers in the future.

He wrote on Twitter: “Please please may I ask that you do NOT tell your children this.

“We need them 2 come 2 us when they need us most.”