But now one police force has issued a poster urging adults not to use this common - if ever so slightly cruel - threat.

 

Instead Durham Constabulary wants children to be friendly with officers and go to them with their problems rather than be fearful of them. 

 

The campaign reads: 'Parents. Please don't tell your children that we will take them off to jail if they are bad. We want them to run to us if they are scared, not be scared of us. Thank You.'

 

However, the poster received mixed reviews online after it was posted on Facebook. Jeff Rowse said: 'Telling them they will go to jail if they are bad is wrong how? Surely that is the major reason for having a police force? And jails?'

 

Paul Parry was more supportive, writing: 'Telling a three-year-old that if he doesn't eat his dinner the policeman will come and take him to jail isn't true and will only serve to instil² fear into that child.'

 

But he added: 'The police shouldn't be used to reinforce bad parenting.'

 

The unnamed traffic policeman who features in the poster said: 'I am flattered by the attention it has received but at the heart of this is a very important message.

 

'Children should be taught from an early age that if they feel like are in danger and they need help they can approach an officer who will reassure³ them. '

 

'I would hate to think that parents are telling their kids that we will take them to jail if they are naughty ... we're not that scary.'

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