Police ridiculed for e-fit which 'looks like a video game character'

05 February 2024 , 14:11

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The e-fit ridiculed by people online (Image: Essex Police)

A police force has been ridiculed after releasing an e-fit for a man wanted for an assault which was compared to a character from a video game.

Essex Police is searching for someone officers want to talk to after a man in his 60s was assaulted in December last year in Chelmsford. Described as wearing blue jeans with a red jumper, alongside the appeal was a picture created to help aid the search.

The e-fit showed a man with a very wide face, a large nose and lips. Its cartoonish dimensions meant after it was posted on its Chelmsford Facebook page, Essex Police was inundated with jokey messages.

Instead of helping aid its investigation, many took aim at the efit itself and declared it of very little help. One person joked: “I think I played Wii tennis against that guy.” Another added: “Oh that reminds me, I need to check on my Sims characters.”

One person compared the picture to a character from Men in Black, writing: “Did his head explode and grow back by any chance?” Another added: “Police are also hunting for the man who squashed this poor guy's head in a vice.”

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A spokesman for Essex Police said of the investigation: “Officers investigating an assault in Chelmsford are releasing an e-fit of a man they want to speak to. A man in his 60s was assaulted inside an address in Lombardy Place by someone who had gained entry at around 8.20pm on 9 December last year.

“He was left with injuries to his head, face, hand and leg. The attacker was reported to be wearing blue jeans and a red jumper.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Please quote the crime reference number 42/219202/23.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.”

Antony Clements-Thrower