UK police slammed for describing missing woman as 'chubby'
Police in the United Kingdom have been attacked by social media users for fat-shaming a missing British woman.
An appeal was launched on Saturday to locate Gloucestershire woman Elizabeth Manley, who police later said was found safe and well.
The initial alert, which was circulated to media and shared on the Gloucestershire Constabulary's Twitter and Facebook pages, described Ms Manley as "a white female, in her 40s, chubby build, brown hair, wearing a blue jacket, dark trousers, white checked shirt and trainers".
Social media users quickly went into a frenzy over the reference to the woman’s “chubby build.”
One commenter wrote: "Chubby build? That's just plain rude. Medium build, maybe??!"
"Is your grasp on written English so bad you couldn't come up with something less offensive?" another asked.
A third suggested: "I'm sure there must have been a better word to describe the poor lady?!"
"Send her my love and hugs. And tell her all people were worried about is that she was called chubby not that she was missing,” wrote another.
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Some more resilient Facebook users suggested the description may have been consistent with what the woman’s family supplied to the police.
“Grow up and stop being offended by everything. Hope they find her soon," one social media user wrote.
"Shame on you people. as a chubby person myself I think it's a good [way] to describe me. And Liz wouldn't mind, don't you think she's got more to worry about than been called chubby?"
In announcing Ms Manley had been located, police thanked the public for sharing the alert on Facebook and assisting with the search.
"We're pleased to let you know that missing person Elizabeth Manley has been found by officers,” the Gloucestershire Constabulary wrote on its Facebook page later on Saturday.
“Thanks for sharing our appeal."
