WPC Gracie, a sheep sculpture part of the charity event ‘Shaun The Sheep By The Sea’, has been given an unsolicited, anti-police makeover this week. The “shear” new look includes anti-police graffiti, with the acronym ACAB, which stands for ‘All Cops Are Bastards’, often seen written as 1312.
Lexicographer Eric Partridge commented that they had first heard the phrase in the 1920s as part of the song: “I’ll sing you a song, it’s not very long: all coppers are bastards”
This isn’t the first time our woolly guests have been targeted. Since the start of the trail earlier this month, it seems some people just can’t resist giving these sculptures a new “coat”.
One such sculpture was found damaged after a late-night incident near Queens Park. A police spokesperson shared, “Around 5am on Saturday, September 9, police were driving on Queens Park Road, Brighton, when they came across a Shaun the Sheep sculpture in the middle of the road. The officers returned the sculpture to its base. The relevant parties are aware of the damage.”
WPC Gracie herself had previously been taken off display due to vandalism.
The art trail is part of an event by the hospice charity Martlets. This charity provides life-changing care for people in and around Brighton and Hove.
The ‘Shaun The Sheep By The Sea’ website had some kind words for WPC Gracie, stating, “WPC Gracie is doing a baa-rilliant job patrolling the streets of Brighton and is proud of helping to keep our city safe. This intrepid police officer works hard, but when she does take time out to chill she makes sure she is never without the latest Peter James crime novel!”
The artist behind WPC Gracie is Judith Berrill, who has been an artist for over 30 years since qualifying with a Fine Art degree at Leeds University. She has worked as a book illustrator, stage designer, painter and graphic designer and has had several exhibitions of paintings based on maps and the paths of her Sussex walks.
If you want to check out the trail make sure you visit before November 2nd when the event will conclude!
