A TOP Sussex Police officer has admitted the force “got it wrong” when it commissioned a controversial poster.

Campaigners said the anti-rape poster blamed victims for the sexual assaults and this led to the force scrapping it after The Argus highlighted the issue.

The issue was discussed at the Police and Crime Commissioner’s scrutiny panel yesterday where Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said the force had made mistakes.

Chairing the meeting, Katy Bourne sat with a large dossier of newspaper clippings relating to the poster and asked where it had broken down.

DCC Pinkney said: “With this poster, we did get it wrong.

“It was entirely our mistake because we didn’t get all the partners involved. It was never our intention for it to be received as it has in some parties, and we apologise for that, but I will not apologise for how it was meant.”

A fortnight ago the force released posters encouraging friends to stay together on nights out with the slogan: “Which one of your mates is most vulnerable on a night out?

“Many sexual assaults could be prevented.”

They were pulled last week and DCC Pinkney stood by the decision.

She said: “We did [make the right decision to axe the posters], some parties were concerned and we have listened to them.

“For that we are sorry.”

Despite the barrage of criticism the poster has received, DCC Pinkney argued it has been a success because it has got people talking about the issues and the campaign.

She said: “Whether you love it or hate it, people globally are sitting around having breakfast conversations about it.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne wanted to know what decisions were made in the build up to the poster being released, having sat in on the initial focus group for the campaign.

She said: “I can see both sides.

“Police set off with the right intentions by protecting people who are vulnerable, but I understand people’s concerns.”