British man arrested for impersonating a police officer while wearing a pig mask and toy helmet

MANCHESTER, England, May 23 (UPI) -- Greater Manchester Police arrested a man who put on a pig mask, toy helmet and reflective jacket in order to perform "comical parodies" about the behavior of law enforcement officials.

New Moston man Steven Peers was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he put on the costume to call attention to how GMP officers conducted themselves during anti-fracking protests.

The 46-year-old was arrested after being stopped by an officer outside a police station.

"My reaction to being arrested was total disbelief. I was wearing a toy hat and a pig mask and was arrested for impersonating a police officer. It's ridiculous," Peers told the Manchester Evening News. "If they want to take it to court they will be a laughingstock because there is no substance to it whatsoever."

The father-of-four also had his "Officer 666" outfit confiscated.

"I don't think it's antagonistic. It's just a parody making fun of GMP," Peers said. "I've dressed like this at Barton Moss, in front of Swinton police station and in front of the force HQ in Newton Heath. Other officers have laughed it off."