Not so shy: Katie Price was happy to pose for the cameras earlier in the week but sparked outrage when she had the help of police who formed a rolling road block
Police protection is normally reserved for heads of state and the royal family but it seems Katie Price feels she should be afforded the same security.
The 32-year-old glamour model enraged motorists when she enlisted the help of police officers who formed a rolling road block around her car, leaving dozens of cars held up behind her.
The helpful boys in blue have not only angered those unfortunate enough to be caught behind the block on the A3 as Katie made her way from her Surrey home, but a police spokesperson has confirmed that an official complaint has been made and an investigation has been launched into the incident.
And although the model is thought to be worth £40million it is unlikely that she footed the bill.
Photographer Ben Benjilali was one of four snappers who had been waiting close to the reality TV star’s home and has told agency reporters that it was not unusual for paparazzi to follow Ms Price and she would normally happily stop and pose for pictures.
But as her Range Rover car joined the A3 from the M25 a police vehicle appeared and introduced a 50mph speed limit behind the car.
Police protection: Katie Price kept other cars at a distance from her Range Rover as police made motorists slow down to 50mph on the A3 allowing her to get away
Tailback: Dozens of motorists were delayed by police who allowed Katie Price to drive off after they formed a rolling road block which lasted for eight minutes
Mr Benjilali said: ‘It was like a mad pursuit.’
‘Her license has been revoked so her little sister was driving and she drives like a pensioner, so it was just a normal traffic flow.’
The photographer filmed the incident and said that the road-block was in place for eight minutes as the traffic headed towards London.
‘I think it is an outrage really, said Mr Benjilali and added: ‘the taxpayers have had to foot the bill.’
Why do shy? Katie didn't want to be pictured and hid behind two bright pink plastic bags as she left a ballet shop in Surrey
Not so inconspicuous: Katie was wearing a bright fur gilet and a fur hat for her outing but didn't want attention from the snappers during her shopping trip
One Surrey resident Ian Whittaker, from Hindhead, was so infuriated by the incident that he has lodged a formal complain with Surrey police.
‘As a Surrey taxpayer, I am concerned that limited police resources are being abused in this manner,’ he said.
‘If any of the press or other road users were driving above the speed limit, they should have been prosecuted.
Welcoming attention: Katie was keen for the camera flashes at her book signing in Asda and posed with her fourth autobiography You Only Live Once
‘This looks like star-struck Surrey Police officers pandering to the ego of a minor celebrity.’
A spokesman for Surrey Police said: ‘We are aware that a complaint has been made and the matter is currently under investigation.’
The following day Katie was equally shy as she visited a ballet shop in Caterham near her home in Surrey.
As the mother-of-three emerged from the shop she hid her face behind two huge pink ballet bags from the shop and got into her car for home.
The aversion to the cameras comes just days after the star was all smiles at Asda in Milton Keynes as she signed copies of her autobiography.
As you'd expect from the glamour model formerly known as Jordan, she kept smiling for her meet and greet with her fans in the supermarket, and was wearing yet more fluffy clothing.
Lonely figure: Alex Reid was spied looking glum as her drove away from Katie's Surrey mansion last week
She was sporting the hat, along with a furry poncho and one of her favourite glittering cocktail rings on her wedding finger, at the signing was the last for her latest autobiography - her fourth - You Only Live Once.
The star is apparently gearing up to serve divorce papers on Alex next week on the day of their one year anniversary - 10 February.
They married in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance and less than nine months after Katie's split from her previous husband, Peter Andre.
It's believed the father of her children Junior and Princess Tiaamii was awarded £6 million – half of the £12 million the pair earned during their marriage - but not a penny of the money Katie earned before they met.
Alex Reid meanwhile is rumoured to be asking for £700,000, which is thought to be less than the pair earned from their 11 month union.
Alex is said to still be holed up at the Surrey mansion they once shared happily, though they are now living separate lives.
He was spied leaving the pile in a blue BMW car looking rather glum as he drove away last week.
Source:Dailymail