A DEFIANT charity shop owner has refused to remove a mannequin in a sleeping bag from outside their shop after people told police they thought it was a dead body.

A police officer told the owner of Amaze to remove the sign and display - intended to raise awareness of homelessness - as it was deemed "too shocking" for the public.

The mannequin was in a sleeping bag on the doorstep of the shop in Richmond Road to give the illusion of a rough sleeper and was accompanied by a sign that read: "Down here is a bad place for a poster, it's an even worse place to live."

But the figure caused a stir with some people even bringing coffee and food for the 'rough sleeper.' 

Amaze's co-founder and co-director, Chris Lee said: "We did this to create awareness around homelessness.

"The mannequin - not a most convincing one at that - is sleeping on the street with the sign next to it.

"On Tuesday, December 21 at about half past five, I was approached by a police officer and told to remove it.

"They said it was 'too distressing' but I responded saying that the plight of homelessness is distressing.

"The display is there to evoke comment and start a conversation, but the police officer thought that it was too shocking an image and could cause an accident.

"It's just our way of saying please be aware and help the homeless if you can.

"We have no intention of moving the mannequin, it is making people aware and making people think.

"The Mayor of Malvern opened the project and thought it was a great idea.

"This was only ever to raise awareness, we were never asking for money or donations.

"I contacted the Mayor and they told me not to worry about it.

"The majority of responses have been really nice and kind, some people have even thought it was real and brought coffee and food. 

"It is only the police who are unhappy with it.

"The really sad thing is that we often find people huddled in the doorway wanting help.

"It's the reality of life, there is a number of people suffering."

A spokesperson from West Mercia Police said: "The officer had spoken with the manager to highlight that the mannequin looked very life-like and could easily have been mistaken for a dead body given its appearance and that this had been the case with us receiving such feedback.

"This was also likely to cause both some distress to the public and unnecessary calls to police so it was requested the display be adapted so as to not cause either of these issues."

On Christmas day in 2018, a rough sleeper named Joby Sparrey was found dead in the doorway of Brays on Worcester Road, Malvern, not far from the display on Amaze's doorstep. 

Amaze works to combat homelessness.