ITV Show title derogatory and offensive

5 July 2024

Acting National Chair, Tiff Lynch, responds to derogatory title of new ITV show about young in service police officers.

The following statements are made in regard to a new ITV fictional series about newly recruited police officers.

Tiffany Lynch, Acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:

"The new ITV show titled 'Piglets' is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service.

“It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme. I find it incredulous that this has passed through checks and balances at an organisation made up of people who at any time have or may need the support and assistance of the police.

“Our colleagues are working hard and keeping people safe under relentless negative pressure at the moment, insulting our new in service officers is unhelpful.

"The name of this show is also inflammatory against a landscape of rising threats and violence against officers. We should not be put at further risk for viewing numbers, our officers deserve respect not humiliation for the job they are undertaking.

"It is actually incredibly dangerous to incite more negativity and misinformation against a public sector service that’s already under so much pressure.”

Mukund Krishna, CEO of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:

“The programme’s title is an insult to our brave and hard-working members. At a time when the service is fighting to attract and retain officers, ITV’s actions are totally undermining. The Federation will be writing to Ofcom and ITV to register its disgust and demanding a change.”