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A police officer has felt the need to justify having a cup of coffee more than seven hours in to his shift.

Sergeant Mike Templeman of Lincolnshire Police had been working without a break when he decided to have a coffee in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, February 17.

When he was leaving the shop, a member of the public could not resist saying "what a waste of our taxes" to Mike and his colleagues.

Now Mike has taken to Twitter to hit back at the criticism.

(Image: Rick Byrne)

"7 1/2 hours into an extremely busy shift with no breaks and a couple of the team managed a quick coffee between jobs, but drank it in the shop in order to respond to any other incidents, while dutifully ignoring the ‘What a waste of my taxes’ comment as we left," he said.

The policeman is one of the area's best loved bobbies.

In March last year, Mike hiked almost a mile across fields to rescue a man stuck for 12 hours during the Beast from the East storms.

The man in question had been stuck in his car in the Lincolnshire Wolds, completely out of fuel.

Sgt Templeman rescued the man and his daughter's birthday cake in the process.

He also discovered another person who was unconscious in a ditch during the storms.

(Image: Lincolnshire Live)

The tweet about the abuse he and his fellow officers suffered has sparked a huge reaction online, with nearly 100 people responding with messages of support for the sergeant.

The tweet has also received more than 450 likes.

Dave Graham wrote: "Hats off to you for ignoring them. Keep up the great work."

Stuart Pearcey wrote: "Ignore em. Keep doing what you’re doing.

"Millions of us ARE grateful, and if I see you in a coffee shop, the drinks are on me."

Chris Constantinou replied: "This is infuriating Mike, totally and utterly. How on earth do people expect you to undertake your duties without food and drink?

"They are being very disrespectful."

Paula Deakin tweeted: "Had you come in the shop where I work I'd have bought your drink.

"Some folk just don't know how to appreciate our police force - keep up the good work."

Another said: "Haters will always hate - and they'll be the first to dial 999 and expect help."

One user wrote: People like this really get under my skin.

"You guys and girls do an amazing job - total respect to you all."