The Metropolitan Police has apologised after wishing its followers on Twitter a happy St Patrick's Day.
Users who saw the tweet sent from Lewisham Police, in east London, of a four-leaf clover designed from handcuffs accused the force of being "racist" and "threatening".
The picture was originally used by San Diego police in 2014 to remind party-goers not to drink and drive after 269 people were killed by drunk drivers on St Patrick's Day in five years.
But after seeing the clover, Patch Thompson tweeted: "Hey Lewisham Police, maybe get some tact and don't do this …" while Captain Afab tweeted: "Wow. Lewisham Police threatening their Irish residents."
It comes as Kingston Council apologised for tweeting a video offering safe-drinking advice on St Patrick's Day which other users declared to be "racist" and "offensive".
After seeing the safe-drinking advice from Kingston, Mary Graham tweeted: "Is this not just a little bit racist – do you put this sort of info up on St David's Day, St Andrew's Day or St George's Day?"
Kingston Council replied: "Yes, we've also put out similar messaging around the World Cup and other football events."
Lewisham Police and Kingston Council responded by removing the messages, but many users hit back at the decision.
Journalist Martin Daubney described people who were upset at the tweets as "Tim-rich offendatrons" while Fireyfairy, who was born and raised in Dublin, said she "took no offence whatsoever" urging people to "get a grip".
Fitzy tweeted: "I'm Irish and live in London and thought the tweet was very creative and funny. In future, ignore the offence mongers".
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