Mum told to take Halloween decorations down because it looks too real --[Reported by Umva mag]

The mum was forced to remove the dispaly after complaints by 'Karens'.

Oct 10, 2024 - 10:28
Mum told to take Halloween decorations down because it looks too real --[Reported by Umva mag]
PIC FROM Kennedy News/Caroline Ashley - not rights cleared, used in public interest (PICTURED: THE BODY BAG HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS SWINGING FROM A TREE ON COUNCIL-OWNED LAND IN FRONT OF CAROLINE ASHLEY'S HOUSE) A mum claims she was forced to tear down her body bag Halloween decorations by the council after killjoy 'Karen' neighbours complained about the life-sized props swinging from a tree. Caroline Ashley, from Liverpool, Merseyside, was stunned when a Liverpool Council worker allegedly rang her doorbell on September 24th demanding she remove the offending decorations from a tree in front of her house. The 41-year-old says the council visit followed a 'really upset' local who banged on her door to say she was 'triggered' by the display. DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
Caroline Ashley was stunned when a council worker visited her home and ordered her to remove her halloween decorations (Picture: Kennedy News/Caroline A)

A mum was forced to remove her ‘body bag’ halloween decorations after distressed neighbours complained they looked too real.

Caroline Ashley was stunned when a Liverpool Council worker allegedly visited her home on September 24 and demanded she remove the offending decorations from the front of her house.

The 41-year-old says she was visited by the council after a complaint from a neighbour who was offended by the display.

After intially admitting she was baffled by the request as her kids ‘aren’t scared’ of the decorations, the mum-of-two eventually took them down to avoid causing any further offence.

PIC FROM Kennedy News/Caroline Ashley - not rights cleared, used in public interest (PICTURED: CAROLINE ASHLEY CLAIMS THE COUNCIL DEMANDED SHE TAKE DOWN THE BODY BAG DECORATIONS FROM A TREE IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE) A mum claims she was forced to tear down her body bag Halloween decorations by the council after killjoy 'Karen' neighbours complained about the life-sized props swinging from a tree. Caroline Ashley, from Liverpool, Merseyside, was stunned when a Liverpool Council worker allegedly rang her doorbell on September 24th demanding she remove the offending decorations from a tree in front of her house. The 41-year-old says the council visit followed a 'really upset' local who banged on her door to say she was 'triggered' by the display. DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
Caroline m claims she was forced to tear down her body bag Halloween decorations by the council after killjoy ‘Karen’ neighbours complained about the life-sized props (Picture: Kennedy News/Caroline A)

Caroline said the council worker returned the following day to check the decorations had been taken down, and requested they be moved onto her property.

‘It’s the quickest the council has come out for anything,’ she said. ‘I put them up, and then he was round the following day.’

Caroline shared her dilemma in a local Facebook group, asking members: ‘are the body bags too much?’

But while most people praised her spooky display and branded those who complained about it ‘Karens’, others conceded that some may find it ‘upsetting’.

Caroline, from Liverpool, Merseyside, said: ‘I’ve always loved Halloween, I’ve been decorating my house for six years. I started getting a few bits and it’s just got bigger.

‘A neighbour was really upset, it obviously triggered something. I don’t want to offend anyone. That wasn’t the intention, it’s just a Halloween decoration, so they are in my garage.

‘It’s the quickest the council has come out for anything. I put them up and then he was round the following day.’

PIC FROM Kennedy News/Caroline Ashley - not rights cleared, used in public interest (PICTURED: HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS ON CAROLINE ASHLEY'S PROPERTY) A mum claims she was forced to tear down her body bag Halloween decorations by the council after killjoy 'Karen' neighbours complained about the life-sized props swinging from a tree. Caroline Ashley, from Liverpool, Merseyside, was stunned when a Liverpool Council worker allegedly rang her doorbell on September 24th demanding she remove the offending decorations from a tree in front of her house. The 41-year-old says the council visit followed a 'really upset' local who banged on her door to say she was 'triggered' by the display. DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
The Merseyside mum is a big fan of Halloween (Picture: Kennedy News/Caroline A)

She added: ‘I took the stuff from the tree down and left the [other] stuff in the grass and then the following day they came round to check and make sure I’d taken it.

‘I said “listen, I’ve got to go and pick the kids up from school. If you need it taken now you’ll have to do it yourself”. He just took it all out and put it on my porch, which is fair enough.’

In a bid to avoid upsetting neighbours or passersby, Caroline says she’ll keep the body bag decorations in the garage in future.

Caroline said: “When I was taking the stuff down off the tree there was a lady walking past. She was on the phone and she stopped and she said ‘what are you doing?’. I said ‘I’ve got to take them down, it’s not my land and I think we’ve upset a few people’.

‘She said “you are joking? I tell everyone about this house”. I said “don’t worry they can go on my land, I just need to get rid of them”. 

‘Don’t be so sensitive, move them into your back garden or home.’

Liverpool City Council confirmed that a complaint was received and was ‘acted upon’.

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