Police probe 77-year old’s Charlie Hebdo order

A 77-YEAR-OLD was left baffled after police asked a newsagent for her details - because she’d bought a copy of Charlie Hebdo.

Anne Keat wanted a copy of the 'survivors' edition as a souvenir. Picture: AFP/Getty

Stunned Anne Keat had ordered a souvenir issue of the satirical magazine following the tragedy in Paris earlier this year.

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She placed an order for one copy of the £3.50 magazine, alongside three other people, at her local newsagent, Hawthorn Stores in Corsham, Wilts.

After collecting the controversial magazine she was baffled to find that police had been to the store and asked for details of everyone who ordered a copy.

Officers have since made a full apology and said police had asked for her details as part of an “assessment of community tensions”.

Anne, a retired ward sister, said: “I never thought I was going to get a copy. I was very happy with it.

“I went into the newsagent last Friday and he told me the police had been in asking for details.

“I thought the newsagent was playing a joke on me - an early April fools.

“[The police] haven’t followed through on it. They should have better things to do. Why are they spending resources on this kind of thing? I was a bit miffed.”

Anne, from Corsham, said she does not know who the other three people are, but will continue to use her local newsagent - blaming the police instead.

Police have since apologised for the incident which occurred on January 30.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Following the terrorism incident in Paris, France on 7 January 2015, Wiltshire Police undertook an assessment of community tensions across the county.

“As part of this work, local sector policing teams were asked to be mindful of business premises, in particular newsagents who may be distributing the Charlie Hebdo magazine and to consider that these shops may be vulnerable.

“There was no specific threat nationally and nothing to suggest newsagents in particular would be vulnerable.

“A police officer visited a local shop and post office in Corsham to make an assessment of community tensions and, if appropriate, encourage the newsagent’s owner to be vigilant.

“During this conversation the officer requested information about subscribers to the Charlie Hebdo magazine.

“Wiltshire Police would like to apologise to the members of public who may be affected by this. Information relating to this specific incident has been permanently and securely disposed of.

“Wiltshire Police are confident that the police officer’s intention was purely around enhancing public safety and ensuring that the newsagent was advised appropriately.”

Hawthorn Stores was unavailable for comment.