A HALLOWEEN window display depicting a mother and decapitated baby has been causing a stir at a Bournemouth charity shop

The display, condemned as “absolutely tragic and tasteless” by one member of the public, was snapped at the Red Cross shop in Southbourne at the weekend.

Within hours of being contacted via its social media channels, the Red Cross conceded the display had fallen “short of reasonable expectations” and had ordered its removal.

On Sunday morning when the Daily Echo visited the premises at Southbourne Grove, the display – which forms part of a larger Halloween display – was still there.

Bournemouth Echo:

However, the shop is normally closed on Sundays, reopening on Monday morning.

The display appeared to show a mother and baby figurine, possibly Mary and the baby Jesus. However, the head of the baby had been removed, complete with fake blood, and placed at the foot of the figurine.

Other elements included a full glass bottle, labelled as ‘Human Blood’, a skeleton and a number of white tissues daubed with fake blood.

Bournemouth Echo:

The member of the public, who contacted the Daily Echo with the images – but asked not to be named – said: “I can’t believe that a Red Cross shop in Southbourne, Bournemouth, has this in display.

“Absolutely tragic and tasteless.”

He took the images around 3pm on Saturday. Other Twitter users agreed, with Jules Cole saying: “This is shocking.”

Southbourne resident Peter West told the Echo: “I can see how people may be offended, especially as it appears to be Mary and Jesus, or at least based on that image. That may have been overlooked by whoever put it up, maybe they just wanted to make something ghoulish for Halloween. I doubt there is any bad intention.”

Commenting on social media, Rob Nesley said: “Maybe it is intended to shock to increase awareness and highlight the atrocities going on for real around the world. If so I would support this being in a display in any shop window.

“We shouldn’t hide away from things that are everyday realities to those less fortunate than us.”

The British Red Cross tweeted: “It is normal practice for each shop to dress and display their windows using their own local discretion.

“In this example we accept that this display falls short of reasonable expectations.

“We have asked the shop to remove the display as soon as possible.”