AN ARTIST has made a complaint to Essex Police after he was allegedly called a “plonker” by an officer.

The artist and Westcliff resident known as Scottee on Twitter, lodged a complaint against the force after he said he was called the slur by a police officer in Southend high street.

The incident reportedly took place on Sunday afternoon.

The artist and writer, who moved to Westcliff with his partner from his hometown, Kentish Town in the summer of 2016.

He said: “A police officer approached me and asked me why I was dressed as a ‘plonker’ on Southend High Street this afternoon.

“The incident took place at noon on Sunday, near Debenhams.”

After a debate erupted on Twitter, following Scottee’s original complaint, he added that he looked forward to receiving a response from Essex Police about the alleged incident.

Twitter followers of Scottee also urged Essex Police to respond, following his complaint.

One woman said that the reported actions of the officer were “inappropriate”.

She said: “I don’t think it’s really about the word.

“Commenting on the way someone is dressed is completely inappropriate.”

Scottee also slammed the behaviour of the officer during the reported incident.

He continued saying the officer’s language was “unacceptable”, alleging the officer had claimed to be himself offended by Scottee’s appearance.

He said: “I of course told him his language was unacceptable.

“This was met with; ‘sorry, you’re offended?’”

“I’d love to hear their thoughts and I will be pushing this further and very publicly.

“I’m waiting for a public response from Essex Police.”

Following Scottee’s repeated complaints about the incident, Essex Police responded to him, apologising for the conduct of the unnamed officer.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: “We’ve looked into this and the word used doesn’t reflect how we expect colleagues to approach the public.

“We’re sorry for that and would like to put you in touch with a more senior officer to find out more about it and discuss further.”

Scottee has spent the past few years directing stage shows, advocating the rights of LGBTQ people.

In November 2016, he hosted a show called ‘Putting Words in Your Mouth’ at the Roundhouse in London, for which he interviewed 400 people in preparation.

Following the public apology to Scottee, Essex Police confirmed with the Echo that the officer had been contacted about the incident.

An Essex Police spokesman said they are in the process of contacting Scottee and discussing the matter further with him.