Did you spot our hose hoax?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It was the hosepipe story that was too bad to be true. Our April Fool's Day report that police would be accepting hosepipes in stations as part of a nationwide amnesty had many people wondering.
The article said Kingston-on-Thames police were piloting the scheme, giving out "I've Piped Down" badges to anyone who gave up their hose. Press officers at Kingston Police station were surprised to get a call from BBC Radio London last Sunday asking whether anyone was available for an interview about it. "It took [the reporter] a while for the penny to drop that it was a spoof," a police spokeswoman said.
One outraged reader wrote to the paper saying: "So they want an amnesty on hose pipes, and for people to hand them in. This is another rich man's option – if we hand ours in we will have to buy a new one when the ban is over. Or will it never be over?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments