Sheffield Labour students face backlash after claiming 'all cops are b********' on social media

The tweet, by Sheffield Labour Students, said "ACAB" which is shorthand for the insult and showed an emoji of a clenched fist.

It was subsequently deleted – some 17 hours later – and Sheffield Labour Students say it was posted by one individual who was not speaking on behalf of the group.

The abuse was condemned by councillors and the police's trade union. South Yorkshire Police Federation said it was an "absolutely appalling inflammatory comment".

"This completely disrespects the hard work and sacrifices officers make in South Yorkshire Police and up and down the country. Please reflect on this ridiculous tweet and delete it."

Walkley councillor Ben Curran, who chairs the Safer and Stronger Communities scrutiny board, said people who chose to run into danger to help others were heroes.

“I’ve been fortunate to ride along with South Yorkshire Police and the Chicago police department and I’ve been on community policing with officers in Phoenix police department.

"Every officer I met, on both sides of the Atlantic, was passionate about keeping their community safe. Their individual service should be celebrated, not vilified.

“Our response to high profile acts of police brutality needs to focus on ensuring justice prevails and reform.

"We also need wider investment to tackle the racism and prejudice that often lies at the heart of it. Statements like this undermine progress rather than help it.”

Former police constable Julie Grocott, who is now a councillor for Stocksbridge, said: "I am appalled by this post.

"I was a South Yorkshire Police officer for 33 years and was very proud of that fact and of the hard work officers do now. They deserve our support, wholesale name calling is wrong."

A statement by Sheffield Labour Students said: "We don't have a social media officer so responsibility for the twitter account is shared, this particular tweet was made unilaterally by one committee member.

"The person who made the tweet has been told to not make any further tweets without consulting the committee and the offending tweet has been deleted."