Now yesterday I went to work ready for my day. I still had the harassments to deal with and I was determined that yesterday was the day!

Let The Court Decide

Now one of the things that really annoys me in the Police is that when some-one rings up and reports an incident the operator automatically, in 99% of cases, creates a crime report. As I have already mentioned I have picked up several harassment cases (I have told you right?). One of them relates to a girl that was being harassed by another girl from her school. Not a problem given this new age of bullying. Spoke with her mother on the phone and tried to make an appointment to go and see her. This is an extract of the conversation. Cue Mrs Miggins

"Hello its PC David TRADER from the Police station , is that Mrs Miggins"

"Yes I have been waiting for you to ring, when you coming round to see my daughter"

"Well I can come now"

"Oh its not really convenient at the moment"

"Why is that"

"I have to go out and won't be back till late"

"Can you not delay it for half an hour?"

"Not really"

"Where you going, maybe I could see you there"

(She finishes laughing) "The pub on the estate!"

"Well that can wait whilst I see you and your daughter??"

"Not really"

"Can I come round tomorrow"

"My daughter is in court tomorrow for an assault!"

(I finish laughing) "OK well I can come and see you Friday then"

"Can I give you a ring?"

"Yes OK!"

Why do I bother

I do a few more things, ring another harassment victim who is still not in town despite promises he would be.

Finally A Victory

Later in the evening I decide to go and mix it with the local kids on the estate. I go to the shops and find that they are not there.

So I start to walk towards the houses, comforted by the fact that our community engagement with the local youths has had an affect and they are all at home, helping their parents with their house work, studying hard and generally being perfect children. As I walk, I start to feel a warm feeling developing inside me, pleased with this triumph a smug smile develops on my face claiming this victory.

Noooooo!

The time now is 9pm. As I walk I start to hear the gentle sound of children playing in the park and.... no wait, it can't be, tell me its not, no, aaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!!!!!

I get closer to find the local youths running riot in the park area, screaming girls, boys trying to do their farming (Think about it), and kids as young as 12 cauing havoc. I stop and have a chat with them, and to be fair they are just bored. They start to take a healthy interest in my handcuffs, baton, CS gas and my radio. They want to play with my baton so I let them, within limits, and finally get it back after one of the 12 year olds came back with it after running away. They then want to play with my handcuffs, so I let them.

I tell them not to put them on anyone as I had lost the key. 5 Minutes later a girl comes over and ask's "Can you get me out of these? I look down to see her handcuffed! Having explained about not having my key, a mate of mine turns up and releases her an hour later( )

I buy them some chips for replacing the gulley plates, have a chat and go back to the nick. Walkiing towards my car I put my hands in my pocket, pull out my key, smile to myself and think she won't do that again

Another peaceful night with more community engagement. Now I know I spent 2 hours with these kids but they were away from the shops and as a result no complaints from the residents so a success for the Police, but we are not measured on this so from a personal point of view whats the point? When I am asked what I have done this month I can say about all this but there is no record. Now if I was really that interested I would be worrying about my detection rate but I am not so I won't

Oh by the way, the female victim for the harassment? She was at the park talking to her mate about their court appearance the next for the assault they inflicted. And her mate the suspect for the harassment

Another day in the life of PC TRADER ends

Good night all