The show's title Piglets - an apparent reference to the derogatory use of the word "pig" to describe police - is "highly offensive", says the union that represents officers across the UK. ITV says the title refers to "innocence and youth of... young trainees".

Police leaders have criticised the title of new ITV comedy Piglets, calling it “highly offensive” and “a disgusting choice of language”.

Set in a fictional police training college, the programme’s name is an apparent reference to the term “pig” which has long been used as a derogatory slang word for police officers.

Tiffany Lynch, acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents more than 145,000 rank and file officers, said the title “is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service”.

“It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme,” Ms Lynch said.

“I find it incredulous that this has passed through checks and balances at an organisation made up of people who at any time have or may need the support and assistance of the police.”

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    Police leaders have criticised the title of new ITV comedy Piglets, calling it “highly offensive” and “a disgusting choice of language”.

    Tiffany Lynch, acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents more than 145,000 rank and file officers, said the title “is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service”.

    “I find it incredulous that this has passed through checks and balances at an organisation made up of people who at any time have or may need the support and assistance of the police.”

    “We should not be put at further risk for viewing numbers, our officers deserve respect, not humiliation for the job they are undertaking,” she added.

    An ITV spokesman said: “Piglets is a fictional new comedy about a police training academy and the title is not intended to cause any offence, it’s a comedic and endearing play on words to emphasise the innocence and youth of our young trainees.”

    Piglets - starring Mark Heap and Sarah Parish - is due to begin airing on 20 July and comes from the team behind comedies Smack The Pony and Green Wing.

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