I arrived at the police station at 1845 for the start of the Friday night shift. I was put on duty with Romeo 1,0 the 1st response team. When I was introduced to them we were immediately dispatched to Brownsover to deal with some nuisance youths riding their bikes dangerously. After a warning that they could injure members of the public, from Andy and Ben the two officers, the youths dispersed and we did not hear from them again.
On the way back to the station we were sent to a domestic. A young father was rowing with his partner and neighbours called for assistance. On arrival the Father thought that I was one of the people who called the police and Ben had to inform him that I was with the police and not to worry. The man had been drinking and was advised to go and stay with a friend or relative till the next day until he cooled down. He complied with this request and was taken to a friend’s house for the night.
We were then asked to do a welfare check on a young mother and her family. On arrival it was clear that everything was OK and no problems were found. Ben and Andy had a friendly and professional attitude that went a long way to making the girl feel at ease and not threatened in any way. We then cruised around for a little while. I was full of questions and the guys were happy to explain anything to me.
While cruising around we received a report that there was a gang trying to kick a house door in and scaring the occupants. We drove around the area and saw a bunch of likely looking youths but they were walking in a different direction and not causing trouble, the address we were given was clear so we moved on.
Andy and Ben then took me to see the CCTV control centre which I thought was very impressive. It is reassuring to know that there are people looking out for the public’s safety and I explained to the operatives there that there was some public concern about the “Big Brother” thing and their attitude and professionalism went a long way to relieve those fears in me.
We called back into the station and I met the rest of “B shift” who made me feel welcome and were happy to explain away any questions I asked, which were many and varied. I was particularly impressed with the way B shift worked as a team and helped each other out through the whole of the time that I was there.
We were then called to a disturbance where there were 15-20 lads kicking a door to a house in and threatening the occupants. The lads ran when they saw us coming but with some very precise driving, and a quick foot chase, one of them was apprehended and searched. He was suspected to be one of the gang and was told in no uncertain terms what was expected of him with regards to his future behaviour. Returning from this incident we chased and pulled over a moped suspected of being stolen but it checked out ok and he went on his way.
At around 10.30 we went on an observation. It had been reported that a person in a pub was about to drive home after several beers. We sat opposite the pub in darkness waiting for the man to come out and after several false alarms he appeared and got in his van to drive off. I found this activity very satisfying as dunk drivers are a major issue as far as I am concerned. We were just about to nick him when we were called to a disturbance. Reluctantly we passed the drink driver to another squad car and attended the disturbance. The driver turned out to be three times over the limit so that was a good result. On attending the disturbance we saw that the person concerned was steaming drunk and being helped by her neighbours and a friend. Andy and Ben checked that all was ok and we moved on.
We got something to eat back at the station and were just sitting down when we were called to a theft alarm at the back of a shop in town. We checked the area and made sure that the shop was secure and there was no sign of a break in so we tried to get back to our break. On arrival at the station we were called to the drunk lady again this time she was injured with a dislocated shoulder and was refusing hospital treatment(even though she called the ambulance herself) She was adamant that she would not be treated and the paramedics got her to sign a form saying so.
We returned to the station and finally managed to get a short break. We were called out to a fight in tescos car park where the youths involved had been refused alcohol and started to abuse the staff and fight each other. On arrival the car park was clear and there were no sign of the offenders. Ben and Andy reassured the store manager and the security guy and told them to ring straight away on the 9’s if there was any further trouble.
It is now around 1.30 am and we were called to a house where the young lads had been attacked with baseball bats and were being attended by paramedics. The lads were however under the influence, by their own admission, and statements could not be taken until they were sober. After ensuring that all was safe we moved on.
While cruising the borough we spotted a speeding car and pulled it over. The driver was breathalysed and found to be under the limit. He was cautioned and we moved on.
We were then called to another disturbance and the guy’s had to deal with a domestic argument between a girl and her fella. He was advised to move on and complied. We then had to inform a person of their friends arrest and did so. Another reported disturbance but this time all was quiet. (I had been advised earlier that I should not say it seems quiet but to say ”all is Q”).
We then checked out a supermarket car park and found a suspected abandoned vehicle did a check and all seemed ok. At 5.15 four officers tried to make an arrest but the person concerned did not seem to be in. We then checked out the travellers at a car park on the outskirts of town and noted their registrations.
Back at the station we were hoping for a Q end to the shift and it was looking good when at around 0615 we were called to a road traffic collision on the motorway junction which took up another hour or so and then came back to end the shift.
I have to say, that although the shift were busy and under pressure the whole time I was there, that they acted with the utmost professionalism and showed that the safety of the public was paramount in their actions. I would like to pass on my thanks to them for a totally enjoyable and very informative night. We as, the general public, should be thankful that these very courageous and hard working people are looking after us as best they can. I have learned a lot on this exercise and will not hesitate to tell people exactly what the police face on a day to day basis whenever I hear them criticised in the future.
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