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Soap shop Lush has caused outrage amongst police with a campaign accusing officers of being "paid to lie" and "spying" on innocent people.

Critics have accused the firm of being "anti-police" and smearing officers - and some customers have even vowed to boycott the chain.

The campaign is meant to call attention to Lush's claims of "intrusive, abusive, political policing in the UK", using the hashtag "spycops" on social media.

The store in Prinsesshay, Exeter is highlighting the campaign in its window display.

Local police officers have taken to social media to complain about the campaign, including Chief of staff at Devon and Cornwall Police, Keith Perkin.

Chief Inspector Mike Evans, local policing commander for Chester and surrounding villages, tweeted on Friday: "Woke up this morning and sighed seeing the @LushLtd marketing campaign."

Retired police officer Peter Kirkham has called on people to throw out their Lush products and boycott the company.

He wrote to his 12,000 Twitter followers: "Dear @LushLtd Your anti police advertising campaign is an utter disgrace.

"It stereotypes ALL police officers as corrupt & includes some fundamental misrepresentations of the facts.

"I trust that you will never again seek police assistance if you are the victims of crime."

He added: "If you support the police, especially at this time when they're under attack from all sides & struggling to maintain any police service at all, you may wish to boycott @LushLtd over their appalling campaign.

"Check your cupboards too, and #FlushLush if you find any of their stuff!"