May Puts The Boot In
One of the lead stories on the BBC is about Theresa May’s speech to the Police Federation. This is the first paragraph.
Theresa May has urged the Police Federation of England and Wales to reform, or she will enforce change.
But the extraordinary thing about the report in The Times, is not the report itself, but the number of comments entered by readers.
As these comments do not seem to favour one side or another, surely the large number, indicates that many Times readers are very interested in what happens to the Police Federation.
Sergeant Rain
I jokingly said to two policemen, sheltering from the rain at the Angel, that all the rain will be bad for business, in that most of the low life wouldn’t be venturing out.
One said, that some officers call this weather, Sergeant Rain.
But everywhere wasn’t very busy.
Buses, Buses Everywhere!
I’d arrived home on Saturday night to a lot of chaos due to road works on the Balls Pond Road.
But today, it was still chaos as these pictures show.
At least though the police weren’t about, as on the Saturday night, where they were giving a wonderful demonstration of how they have forgotten their point-duty skills. They may have kept the cars moving, but it took me and a few others about ten minutes to cross the road, before a gap appeared.
Tragedy In Washington
This story from the United States is tragic.
I’d like to think that such a case wouldn’t have happened here, as our unarmed police would not as it seems, shoot first and ask questions afterwards. Some armed units might, but they are rarely the first point of contact.
After all it appears from the pictures, that there were substantial barriers, to prevent the driver getting through.
But even if the lady had been a suicide bomber, shooting her would probably have caused the bomb to go off.
The Washington police have a lot of questions to answer.
Do You Look At The Mantelpiece When You’re Stoking The Fire?
This story from the BBC reminds me of that very old joke from years ago.
To add another joke, most of the ladies, I’ve seen, who work in this profession, I wouldn’t touch with any barge pole, let alone mine!
Some might think these sayings are a bit sexist, but I’ve heard my late wife more than once, describe one of her male clients as a paper-bag job!
Real Neighbourhood Policing
I like this story from the West Midlands. Here’s the first bit.
He’s a beat bobby with a difference – but Pc Ian Northcott stopped shoppers in their tracks when he started belting out Oasis hit Wonderwall outside a busy shopping centre.
We need more of this interactive neighbourhood policing.
I am reminded of a story years ago, when a police team got conned into a five-a-side football tournament by the local vicar. To say the football was rough would be an understatement. But the officer who told me the story, says some those they kicked and were kicked by, gave them information to catch a few felons.
A real Crime-Solving Lawyer
This story, which is all over the media, shows how to solve the theft of an iPad.
The West Midlands police seemed to be as useful as a chocolate tea-pot.
South Yorkshire Police Have Another Coloured Horse
It wasn’t a bad day for a ride and as they did at Barnsley, the Police gave the horses some exercise.
Police Horses At Hillsborough
it’s nice to see that the South Yorkshire Police doesn’t seem to mind what colours their horses are. This one doesn’t appear to be the one I saw earlier in the season. Incidentally, I can’t remember seeing a grey police horse for many years. But then to groom a grey so that it looks good, is a lot of hard work.
I Locked Myself Out For The First Time Since 1969
This morning the recyclers turned up, and in the rush to dispose of my green sacks, I managed to lock myself out, as the door slammed behind me.
Luckily, I had my coat on, so I wasn’t too cold and I also had my wallet in the pocket. But my phone was in the house, so I couldn’t call my son, who has spare keys.
Eventually, I borrowed a phone, but he was in a meeting, so I had to go to Walthamstow to get them from our builder.
The journey didn’t start well, as roadworks round the corner, meant I couldn’t find a 56 bus to get to Leyton for a bus to where my son lives and the builder is working. So I went the other way to get the Victoria line from Highbury and Islington.
it was bitterly cold and I was without my hat and gloves and then the train was delayed.
But eventually, I got the keys and was able to get back into the house.
The last time, I locked myself out was in 1969 and a very pregnant C and myself called the Police to get us in. They did with a well-aimed boot. I’ve since used the technique a couple of times.
They also said never call the Fire Brigade in this sort of emergency, as they love to use their axes.
The Best Of British In Gibraltar
Gibraltar has lots of things that we would recognise as some of the best of British icons, standards and design.
I also liked the main shopping street, which was tidy and neat and reminded me of some of those shopping centres in seaside towns. It was even a bit like how I remember Hamilton Road in Felixstowe in the 1960s.
It was certainly, a well signposted place and I must have counted six or more of the large street maps. To contrast, I’ve never seen one in Blackpool.
The Royal Gibraltar Police incidentally, are the second oldest force in the Commonwealth.
The Anonymous Widower 