South Wales Evening Post - 17 December 2008
A shop boss who decided to spread some festive cheer by lacing his advertising leaflets with gags thought the world had gone Christmas crackers when he got a visit from the boys in blue.
Bob Singh thought he would give people something to smile about by mixing the special offers at his Landmark store in Port Talbot with a little seasonal ho-ho-ho.
But then the cops came a-calling after a mystery shopper failed to see the funny side, claiming the jokes were potentially offensive and inflammatory.
Police have now given him "appropriate advice", and Mr Singh has been forced to withdraw the leaflets or risk committing a public order offence.
But he insists that, while one or two gags might be slightly near the knuckle, the rest are not offensive.
"We've been doing this for years, and I have never had a problem until now," said Mr Singh, who also runs the Kash Superstores in nearby Bailey Street.
"I get the jokes off the internet. They don't target any person or gender, and there's no bad language.
"I couldn't believe it when three police officers turned up and told my partner someone had contacted them about the leaflet because they didn't like it.
"To me, the world has gone completely crazy."
A baffled Mr Singh has now had to display a formal apology in the front window of the shop in Water Street and stop giving out the leaflets until the offending material can be removed. He has also started a book for customers to sign to prove they were not offended.
Meanwhile, he has still to be told which joke or jokes had triggered the complaint.
"I am doing as much as I can to apologise to anyone who might have taken offence," he added.
"But it's just mad. Someone has taken it a bit too far."
Police say one officer, along with a support officer and a trainee support officer, attended as they were already in the area at the time.
Sergeant Simon Merrick, of the Sandfields and Aberavon neighbourhood policing team, said: "The content of promotional material which has been distributed in the Aberavon area has been brought to our attention as being potentially inflammatory and offensive.
"The distributor has been appropriately advised and instructed to withdraw the leaflets from circulation."
Here are some of Mr Singh's least offensive jokes
What is the technical name for three days of horrendous weather followed by bright sunshine?
A Welsh Bank Holiday!
What do you do with a dog with no legs?
Take it out for a drag
What do you call a legless sheep?
A Cloud!
What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhino?
el-if-i-no!
Why is it dangerous to let a bloke's mind wander?
It's too little to be out on its own!
What do you call a deer with no eyes?
I have No-I-Dear.
