England: local police force apologises for taking details of Charlie Hebdo magazine buyers

Wiltshire Police said it has now deleted the names of the buyers – collected after police told newsagents to be vigilant while they assessed community tensions in the market town last month.

One customer, a 77-year-old retired nurse called the officer a “jobsworth” and added that she thought the whole thing was a hoax because it was so unlikely.

Speaking to The Independent, Anne Keat said: “At the time I was a bit miffed.

“I thought that’s a bit rich, two days after I got my copy, haven’t they got better things to do?

“They always talk about the pressure on the resources they have got to put into these things. No wonder they’re short of cash.”

Details of buyers of the magazine were added to the police’s intelligence system, but were deleted after Ms Keat wrote to the Guardian.

Ms Keat said the police never got in touch with her and that she did not know the other buyers of the magazine.

Emma Carr, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “The Charlie Hebdo attack brought millions of people worldwide together to condemn those who seek to silence free speech through threats of intimidation and violence.

“We therefore have to hope that this is the result of an overzealous police officer, rather than a campaign of intimidation by Wiltshire Police.”

Police said that they had sent officers to local businesses to assess community attentions but added that there was no specific threat and there was nothing suggesting sellers would be at risk.

It said in a statement: “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.”

Over 1,000 British Muslims protested in London over the weekend at what they described as “insulting depictions” of the prophet Muhammad by the magazine.