Merseyside Police say sorry after 'rape joke' tweet

A police force has apologised after it appeared to joke about rape.

Merseyside Police was criticised after responding to a tweet sent to the force's official Twitter account following Everton's 6-2 victory over Sunderland.

A Twitter user wrote: "Hello. I'd like to report an incident of rape that occurred at Goodison Park, Liverpool, on November 1st at 3:00."

In response, Merseyside Police wrote: "Just to confirm there was no actual rape for me? Sunderland certainly got caught with their pants down though."

Minutes later the force responded to another Twitter user who tweeted: "I'd like to report an incident that's been going on for ages. Chelsea get raped every week, can you help?"

Merseyside Police responded: "Afraid not, it's not a criminal offence to lose week in, week out."

Following criticism from Twitter users, the force deleted the tweets nearly two hours after they were posted and issued an apology.