Police apologise over comments

POLICE have apologised after an officer reportedly told a cyclist who had a near miss with a bus - “maybe you should trade your –ike in for a Hummer.”

Matt Coldrey, 29, says he was overtaken dangerously by a coach on the A417 near Gloucester.

The university sports coaching lecturer caught the incident on video and sent it to police and made a complaint.

He says he “couldn’t believe” what the police constable told him “maybe you should trade your bike in for a Hummer.”

“It was bizarre,” Mr Coldrey said. “I get it’s a joke, but you wouldn’t joke if I had been hit.”

Gloucestershire police then tweeted an apology for the “unacceptable” words of the officer.

“Gloucestershire Constabulary has reopened the case and apologised for the tone of the phone conversation,” the cyclist said. “I’m very happy with the response.”

A Gloucestershire police spokesman said: “A senior officer has reviewed the telephone conversation between the police officer and the cyclist.

“We believe that certain comments made by the officer during the call were unacceptable and do not represent the Constabulary’s approach to road safety.

“In the call the police officer made comments they said were meant to be humorous, however it was inappropriate in the circumstances and we completely understand why the cyclist was unhappy with the conversation.”