The owner of a Norfolk cafe which displayed golliwogs has been warned by the Met Police that a group of Londoners may head his way to stage a protest, it is understood.
The display of the offensive figurines has since been removed from the Old Manor Cafe, in Caister, and the owner - who wishes to remain anonymous - has issued a heartfelt apology saying he understands the hurt the items can cause.
He has been at the centre of controversy this week after the display was highlighted, following a complaint from a customer.
The story has circulated widely online and is understood to have prompted the warning from the Met Police that a group of individuals from the capital may descend on the premises.
It comes days after a pub in Essex which was investigated by police over a golliwog display was attacked by vandals.
The Met Police would not comment on the Norfolk case.
A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said: "We are aware of a report of an allegation regarding a business in Caister.
"At this time, we are not aware of any intelligence to support this allegation.
"Officers are monitoring the situation and liaising with the involved business owner."
Earlier this week, Norfolk officers visited the business and recorded a 'hate incident' in connection with the display of golliwogs, which were once popular in Britain but are now widely considered racist.
'Hate incidents' are not recorded as crimes but signify that the person reporting the incident perceives it was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on protected characteristics.
The customer who sparked the Caister controversy with their complaint said he was "shocked to find these openly on show and available for purchase".
He added: "These racially stereotypical caricatures have been morally unacceptable in this country for years. But not in Norfolk, it would appear."
The cafe owner initially defended the display, saying they accompanied other nick-nacks such as figures of Betty Boop and Great Yarmouth fishermen.
"It's OK for people to complain about them," the manager said. "It is their right.
"But people aren't complaining about the other things I have on display. They're not seeing the whole picture."
But he has since changed his mind and written an open letter explaining his decision to remove the figurines from display and no longer sell them.
He said he "now understands and appreciates the discomfort and concern" selling the figures may incur.
He added that he wants the Old Manor Cafe "to be a welcoming space for everyone".
LETTER OF APOLOGY
In his letter of apology sent to this paper, the cafe manager wrote:
"I would like to take this opportunity to update you on my decision to withdraw the gollies from sale.
"Although not illegal to sell them, I now understand and appreciate the discomfort and concern that these dolls can represent.
"I wish to make it clear it was never my intention to cause distress to any member of the public and that I want my cafe to be a welcoming space for everyone.
"I would also like to offer my thanks to those people who took the time to discuss, patiently and politely with me, the underlying reasons for the hurt that these images can cause.
"These discussions very much informed my decision to withdraw them from sale."
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