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SPECIALS
– THE LONG NIGHT
It
was a particulary wet and uninteresting late
turn.Special Constables 9268 Ian Taylor and 9198
Dave Verity had come on duty at 7pm and an hour
later found themselves parked in the generally
less-than popular, unmarked police Vauxhall
Astra, call sign Bravo Juliet 54.It’s plain
image was too mundane and it’s performance a
little to pedestrian by most of the Specials
standards,preferring the cooler image of a
marked panda.
They were situated in the small car park of the
Cutty Sark public house,some hundred meters from
the shops on Chatsworth Avenue,Fleetwood.
This was a favourite position for the two
Specials,allowing them to monitor ‘juvenile
nuisance’ and anti-social behaviour at the
front of the shops.
Juvenile nuisance was on the increase in this
area,not unlike the rest of the country which to
the Special Constables seemed like a growing
trend,a cancer on society,in this case,with the
youngsters drawn like a magnet to the ‘Day and
Night’ shop overlooked by the flats,known
locally as the Garth.
The Garth,a tatty,rundown council complex in the
heart of the estate,a rabbit warren for
offenders using the passageways and stairwells
as their transit routes and a venue for those
whose pastime was shooting heroin into their
veins.
The juveniles would congregate outside the shops
in the early evening and satisfy their craving
for kicks by harassing both the shop staff and
members of the general public,when buying goods
from the shop.Graffiti,under-age drinking and
loud music,and at a more serious level joyriding
with stolen vehicles,drugs and petty crime were
also traits of this young local community and a
constant pain for both the Beat Officers and
local residents alike.
The windows of the Astra were wound
down,allowing the two Specials to attune to any
sound which might indicate trouble was brewing.
“Think we should pay a visit to the shop
staff,show presence” said Verity in a bored
voice.
“No Dave,” replied Taylor.“Section Officer
McLarent will be snooping about,rather him see
us monitoring the kids,if he sees us out of the
car,he’ll have us filling in Juvenile Referral
forms all night”.
Juvenile referral forms,was a system,employed by
the Lancashire Constabulary to combat juvenile
nuisance.
Depending on the category of the nuisance or
disorder the Juvenile Referral Liaision Officer
would instigate a letter to the childs parents
requesting that they speak to their child
regarding the incident.
If the child comes to the attention of the
police a second time within six months a further
letter is sent to the parents with a first
letter to the Education Welfare Officer and the
childs school,if they were of school age.This
letter was intended to share information that
may give some indication as to why the child is
behaving in such a way.
If the child comes to the attention of the
police on a third occasion,a final letter is
sent to the childs parents informing them that a
meeting would be set up to discuss the childs
behaviour
If the child continued with its disorder or
anti-social behaviour the Crime and Disorder Act
1998 would come into play and an anti-social
behaviour order could be applied for through the
local Magistrates Court.
Child safety orders,local child curfew orders
and reparation orders could also be considered.
Just at that moment,the in-car Tetra radio
system,crackled into life.Both officers cocked
their ears to the voice of the communications
officers message” Bravo Alpha to all Fleetwood
mobiles,Code 1 Response,to Westview
garage,robbery in progress”.
Taylor immediately turned the key in the
ignition of the Astra,gunning the 1.8 diesel
engine into life, at the same time turning to
his colleague shouting “Game on Dave”.
Verity acknowledged with a nod of his head
before responding into the radio handset
“Bravo Juliet 54 received,making from
Chatswoth Avenue”.
Other Fleetwood mobiles could be heard
acknowledging the call over the force
radio,Bravo Juliet 30,31,and 40 the section van
and the Fast Response vehicle 3 car 1.All now
making to the garage at response speed,situated
at the major roundabout,on the main artery into
the town of Fleetwood,from Cleveleys and
Blackpool to the south.
The atmoshere in the Astra,as Taylor swung out
through the entrance of the pub car park onto
Chatsworth Avenue was electric with
anticipation.As the front wheels scrambled for
grip on the loose surface as the car lurched
forward,throwing stones and debris up all
around.“Steady Ian,a bit of consideration
please,”laughed Verity.”McLarent will have
our guts for garters,if we prang it”.“Sorry
Dave”,came the muffled apology from Taylor as
the car swung left onto Chatsworth Avenue,for a
split second driving directly at a startled cab
driver,blinding him for a second,before
continuing east past the shops and the group of
juveniles,who were waving and shouting
obsenities at the two officers,now totally
absorbed in their own thoughts of getting to the
scene.
As the Astra moved swiftly up Chatsworth,at one
stage reaching nearly 80 mph in a thirty-mile
limit,in the distance could be seen a
kaleidoscope of glittering blue flashing lights
bouncing off buildings and other areas of
reflection,disturbing the solid blackness of the
night sky, along with the
amplified sound of ‘two tones’ as the other
section vehicles made their way at speed down
Hatfield Road,Little Broadway and from the
bronze sculpture of Eros,situated at the
nautical college at the top of the Fleetwood
Road,towards the garage and the incident scene.
The Specials were fast approaching the end of
Chatsworth Avenue and Taylor moved down the
gears of the Astra on approaching the
roundabout.The Fast Response vehicle,3 car 1
could be seen pulling up on the garage forecourt
with the other section vehicles in close
attendance.
As Taylor and Verity alighted from the Astra on
the garage forecourt, Taylor informed Lancaster
communications by PR of their arrival at the
garage and to slow down any other section
vehicles who had not yet made the scene.
On the right of the petrol pumps,a group of
onlookers,who only moments before had been
fueling their vehicles,had found themselves
caught up in the incident,to their utter
disbelief.
The Specials approached this little knot of
people,by now standing in the light drissle
which had began two hours earlier.
“Any of you lot see what happened?”,asked
Taylor,brusquely.
“See it?”,said a burly young man,with his
arms wrapped round a slim female with the
shortest skirt imaginable,and a smile on her
face,obviously enjoying the attention.”No not
us”.came the reply simultaneously from those
gathered by the pumps.
This was typical of the Fleetwood area,not to
inform on others,the fear of retaliation and a
dislike for the local police.
Taylor whispered to Verity,”Bastards,that’s
how much help any of that lot can expect,if I
ever have the satisfaction of meeting them on a
shout for assistance”.
“Now,now Ian”,said Verity.”You’ve got to
remember,their only Codheads,with artificial
intelligence,the offspring of a mating Cod and a
seagull,can’t expect anything else”.Codhead
being the name adopted by local bobbies for the
local inhabitants of the fishing port of
Fleetwood.
Regular Constable Eddie Knights,the driver of
the Fast Response vehicle, could be seen talking
to a sweating fat man in the doorway to the
entrance of the garage shop.The fat man being a
member of the shop staff and who was relating
with much vigour and arm waving the events of
the robbery occurring only minutes before to the
officer.The officer gathering as much
information as possible regarding the robbery,to
pass onto the other officers present and the
communications room nearly 20 miles away at
Lancaster.
Regular Constable Knights pressed the ‘presure
switch’ of the mike on his Tetra digital PR
set and passed on the details to the
communications room operator:
“3 car 1,two white males have entered the
garage,threatened shop staff with a large knife
and taken an unknown quantity of cash from the
cash register,no injuries to shop
staff,direction of travel on foot towards
Greenfields,descriptions to follow”.
“Bravo Alpha received,go ahead with your
descriptions when ready!”.
“Male ic 1,approximately 5’10”,age early
thirties,stout build,fair hair with curtains
wearing gloves, black short jacket,blue
jeans,white trainers.
Second male,ic 1,approximately 6’,early
thirties,thin build,dark short hair,scruffy in
appearance,with red hooded jacket,dark trousers
and white trainers”.
Verity turned to Taylor “Ian,heard anyone call
for the force helicopter yet?”.
The force helicopter stationed only a few
minutes away at Warton ,British Aerospace
airfield,could be on scene within minutes using
it’s 6,000,000 candle watt Nightsun light beam
or it’s thermal imaging capability to locate
fleeing offenders with great sucess.
”No”,replied Taylor,and pressing his own PR
mike switch spoke to comms, “Bravo Juliet 54
to Bravo Alpha”. Comms replied with “Bravo
Alpha send”.
Taylor then requested the force helicopter
callsign,Oscar November 99,only to be told that
Oscar November 99 was dealing with a suicidal
MISPER on the Grange Park area of Blackpool and
would not be available for some considerable
time.
“No joy Dave, and the dog section is dealing
with a job at Morecambe,we’re on our
own”,Taylor informed his colleague.
Regular Constable Emma Parker,a 25 year old
female constable and just two months out of
probation,was the only female on the shift this
evening and the driver of Bravo Juliet 40,the
secure transit van.Emma crossed between the
garage petrol pumps,and approached the two
Specials.
”Ian,Dave,I’ll stay and take any witness
statement from the shop staff,why don’t you
trawl the Greenfields estate with the unmarked
car,you have the descriptions of both males? 3
car 1 and Juliet Bravo 30 and 31 will
concentrate on the roads surrounding Greenfields
in case they decide to nick a vehicle and make
out of the town”.
”Right Emma,no problem,might have a better
chance of spotting them in the unmarked
Astra”,said Dave, as both Specials began to
made back to the Astra,pleased at having been
given a useful task in this incident.
“Oh by the way lads”,shouted Emma,”one of
the offenders dropped a comb case,Manchester
United logo on it,with the name Peter
underneath,does’nt ring any bells though”.
“Cheers Emma”,said the Specials
simultaneously.
Seated back in the Astra,both Specials pondered
on the information given by Emma.
“Emma seems to think that the offenders are
out of townies Dave,” said Taylor.
“Would agree with her Ian,not the sort of job
we’re used to with the locals,but you never
can tell,and I could name a few candidates that
are capable of this type of crime on the
Greenfields estate”.
TheGreenfields estate was a combination of both
private and rented red roofed,two storey housing
engulphed in a labrinth of back-alleys.Predominately
council owned,but many had been bought by
tenants in the reign of Margaret Thatcher and
the then Conservative Governments policy of
‘the right to buy’.
The estate was a hive of petty
crime,unauthorised taking of motor vehicles (UTMV),Stealing
from motor vehicles (SFMV), drug dealing,mainly
heroin which was becoming as much akin to
Fleetwood as the origin of the cough sweet,
Fishermans Friend.Infact the town was known
regionally as ‘Brown Town’ after it’s
infamous links to heroin,by the drug taking
fraternity of Lancashire.
It was approaching 8:15 pm when the unmarked
Astra containing the two Special Constables
entered the Greenfields estate,ten minutes after
the original shout had been given by comms.The
area seemed very quiet,almost motionless,eary
even, in the beam of light from the
headlights,as the vehicle made it’s way up
Broomfield Road towards Heathfield.Parked cars
on either side of the road,leaving very little
room Taylor thought,for emergency vehicles at
speed to navigate safely in pursuit of a stolen
vehicle or while attending a 999 call for
assistance at a domestic,something worth noting
at the back of his mind for future reference.
“Well Ian,no sign of Specials supervision so
far,must have gone over Wyre with the CCTV
van”,said Verity,without turning his head
towards Taylor, as he scoured the street and
adjacent alley-ways to the left of the vehicle
for signs of movement.
“Possibly” replied Taylor “but,more likely
taking refreshments at Petras Kebab House on
Lord Street,never around when the job needs
doing eh!” laughed Taylor,Verity replied with
grin and a snort in agreement.
Taylor pondered for a minute on what his
colleague had just remarked.
Specials supervision were known for their mainly
administrative role and very rarely were seen in
a ‘hands on approach’ which really narked
Special Constables throughout the service,but
they also had the nack to turn up at a incident
scene to take the credit for the real police
work.
This was a view taken not only by the Special
Constable,but by the Regular Constables as
well,who both think they are the backbone of the
job,that if all supervision disappeared
tomorrow,the job would still get done,but if all
except supervisory officers disappeared,sod all
would get done and the police force as we know
it would dissapear up some high ranking officers
orifice.
As the Astra turned onto Heathfield,the drissle
had grown slightly heavier,which was probably
the main reason,for the lack of bodies on the
street,most of which would be in front of the
telly watching their favourite tv programmes.PC
RAIN,was the bobbies best ally,keeping the
criminals at home and the juveniles off the
street,allowing officers to carryout their admin
and to perhaps get a crafty cup of tea or their
feet up for ten minutes in the station canteen.
Suddenly,as the Astra passed an adjacent
alley,Verity shouted “someone in the alley,Ian”.
Taylor immediately brought the vehicle to a
halt,engaging reverse gear,checking his rear
view mirror and accelerating backwards in one
easy motion,selecting first gear and turning the
vehicle left into the alley.The headlights
seemed to illuminate the whole of the
alley,picking out the vauge shadowy shape of a
male stood next to a wall,with his back turned
to the officers.
The two Specials pulled the police car up level
with the male,both alighting the vehicle at the
same moment and approaching the male from
opposite directions.Verity kept his passenger
door between him and the male allowing time for
his colleague to come round from the drivers
side,both aware of the initial incident and the
showing of a large knife and both glad they were
wearing their anti-stab proof vests .
The male turned his head towards the approaching
officers,and as he did so,both officers
immediately recognised him.
Paul,Patrick,O’Connel,was a local prolific
burglar who lived on the Greenfield estate and
who had spent most of his early twenties at Her
Majesty’s pleasure.Paul lived with his partner
and young son and mainly carried out burglaries
in the area to feed his partners heroin
addiction.
“What you up to Paul”,said Verity.”Nothing
Governor,just taking a piss,knew you lot were
about and did’nt want to do it in the
street,as you’d nick me!”.”As if we
would”,said Taylor,with a smile on his
face.”Okay Paul,time to turn out your pockets
and place everything on the bonnet of the
vehicle,you know the drill”.
As O’Connel complied with the officers
request,Verity stepped closer to
O’Connel,preparing to carryout a thorough body
search,as he did so the pungent smell of urine
and alcohol penetrated his senses,he knew he
would have to be careful as O’Connel was known
to carry sharps,a common term for needles among
officers dealing with drug addicts.
“Okay Paul,keep your jacket on,don’t want
you getting too wet,arms out.Have you any
sharps,I won’t be happy if I prick myself and
you won’t be a happy teddy if I do”,said
Verity in an authoritive voice.”No” replied
O’connel as he succumbed to the officers
quadrant search patern,a recognised search
technique,which although carried out with
purpose,extreme care was still taken.
Meanwhile Taylor was writing out the PACE 1
performa,a record of the search,which O’Connel
would be presented with at the conclusion of the
stop search,provided no offences were found and
no arrest made.
“Your clean”,said Verity as he finished
searching O’Connel and confirmed it with a nod
to Taylor.”What do you know about the job at
Westview garage earlier this evening?”,piped
in Taylor.
”Nothing Governor,honest,I’ve been in the
Broadway since five o’clock with our kid,ask
Arnie”.
Arnie was the landlord of the Broadway
pub,situated at the end of Broadway and in close
proximity to the garage.Arnie was also a known
fence for the local criminals and would tell
police officers anything they wanted to
hear,apart from the truth,so no mileage there in
confirming O’Connel’s story.Saying that,he
did’nt fit either of the descriptions from the
garage,thought Taylor.
“Okay Paul,on your way”,said Taylor.
As O’Connel began to walk away he turned and
shouted in the direction of the officers,”You
black bastards,you want to leave me alone,stop
harassing me,I’ll have my solicitor on you
two,bastards.Remember I know where you live”.
It was’nt,Verity decided beyond the bounds of
possibility that O’Connel or one of his mates
would put a brick through his window,after all
he did live in the town unlike Taylor who lived
in Blackpool.
Verity called after O’Connel.”You’ve got
thirty seconds to get out of my sight,or your
locked up O’Connel”.O’Connel losing his
bravado scurried away in the opposite direction
and was soon out of sight of the officers.
Both officers made back to the warmth of the
Astra and a period of drying off.
“Dave,did you hear him keep referring to us as
Governor,a sure sign of doing time,that is”
said Taylor.Verity replied “Yeah,and it
won’t be long before he’s bang at it again
and inside,I can see the burglary rate going
through the roof in the next few weeks,will keep
the Regulars busy at any rate”.
“I know that Dave,but still…what a
tosser,they ruined a perfectly good fucking
arsehole when they put teeth in his mouth,and
that’s one Codhead who will be difficult to
catch”.
“I agree Ian,is he some kind of wanker or
something?I only ask because he does’nt appear
to be playing with a full deck”.Verity was
obviously still annoyed by the threat that
O’Connel had made.
As Taylor turned the key in the ignition,he felt
troubled.There was something odd in the
conversation with O’Connel,something did’nt
add up, but what?
Back at Fleetwood police office,situated on
North Church Street,Section Officer Paul
McLarent and Special Constable Kev Smythe were
entering through the gates to the backyard in
the CCTV van.They had been carrying out overt
surveillance with the use of the 360 degree
camera,mounted on a 27 foot mast from the roof
of the vehicle,on the main road running through
the town of Garstang.
Two pubs running diagonal to each other off the
main road were a constant source of public order
incidents mainly from the local farming
community and the deployment of the CCTV van
with monitoring cameras,had the effect of
reducing this problem.
“Well Kev”,said Section Officer
McLarent,”that’s a job extremely well
done,keeping the local populace of Garstang
feeling safe,involved,and reassured,eh!”.“Your
right Paul,but what a shit job,I hate this
van?”replied Kev,not a fan of riding around in
the van,especially as a civvie was normally
employed to drive and operate the van on a
Friday night,must have phoned in sick,now
there’s something new,and we always get the
shit jobs,he thought.
The officers entered the security door at the
rear of the station,punching in the code that
allowed them entry through the door of the
building.
As they walked down the corridor,Sergeant Andy
Bradshall emerged from the parade room and on
seeing the two Specials,greeted them with his
usual cheery “alright lads,have you no homes
to go to”, of which Paul quickly replied
“we’re here again Sarg,nicking all your
overtime”.
This was the usual banter around the station
between Regular and Special officers,but non of
it was meant and all was taken in good
fun,infact the relationship between Regular and
Special at Fleetwood had always been one of
great harmony and mutual respect,although
Regular officers would never understand why
Special Constables carried out this
voluntary,community and invariably dangerous
work unpaid.
Andy smiled.”You lads okay for an ID parade
next Wednesday evening,starting at around 8
pm?”A task that the Specials section tended to
get conned with,but,no one really minded as
supporting the regular force was the reason they
were there and no matter what the task,they
always complied.
”Yeah,Andy,leave the details on my desk and
I’ll get the lads to turn on”,Paul
replied”.
Thanks”,said Andy, “see you later” and
made his way towards the custody suite,where he
was the duty Custody Sergeant for the next eight
hours.
“Right Kev,I’ve got the keys to a
Panda,let’s get a quick brew and get back out
there,need to check up on Taylor and
Verity,leave them two for one minute and
they’ll be locking up all the Codheads in
town,leaving no sport for the rest of us,and we
can’t have that can we?”.
”Last I heard on my PR,they were on
Heathfield,stopped Paul,Patrick,
O’Connel,he’s just out of prison,is’nt
he?”,asked Smythe.
“I believe so Kev,staying on Warrenhurst Road
at the Lancashire Probation Services house
there,at least that’s what I’ve heard round
the nick”,answered McLarent.
Back on Greenfields Verity and Taylor were
continuing their area patrol of the estate,the
rain had now subsided and the officers were
still alert to the movements around them as they
sought the two robbers,who by now could be long
gone and probably were.
“Dave,I think we’re wasting our time
trawling around here,no pun intended,theres no
one about”,remarked Taylor.”Your right
Ian.No pun intended my arse,you meant trawling
for codheads”,Verity laughed out loud.
“Why don’t we head for the Broadway make
some enquiries,we could do with speaking with
Arnie.The pubs close to the garage and maybe the
two made there after the robbery rather than
onto the estate”,statedVerity.
“Yeah,might as well confirm O’Connel’s
alibi with Arnie also,see if he was in there
since 5pm,as he said.I’ve got a feeling about
O’Connel”,remarked Taylor.
The Broadway was a seedy public house,frequented
in the main by the local scroats,(scroats being
short for scrotums,a popular term used by
Lancashire officers for offenders) from the
Chatsworth and Greenfield estates.This was also
the type of pub that extra drinking was carried
out, either illicity or as bone fide friends of
the landlord,behind closed doors,where items
stolen in burglaries were sometimes fenced.
The pub stands facing the main roundabout into
the town of Fleetwood and less than 100 meters
from the Westview garage and the scene of the
robbery.
Two minutes drive from Heathfield Road and the
two Special Constables pulled to a halt in the
Broadway carpark,opposite the door of the public
bar.
“Ian,I’ll get permission from Bravo Juliet
20 to enter the pub”,said Verity.
Bravo Juliet 20 was the regular scale Sergeant
on duty that evening and permission was always
sought from supervision prior to entering any
license premises,due to safety implications.
Verity pressed his mike button,”Bravo Juliet
54 to Bravo Alpha,can I have talk through with
Bravo Juliet 20”.At which point Sergeant Steve
McGilligan,the patrol Sergeant answered
with,”Bravo Juliet 20 go
ahead”.”Sarge,permission to go into the
Broadway,making enquiries regarding the robbery
incident at Westview garage”,
”No problemDave,but request another patrol to
back you up,just in case”,came the answer from
the experienced Sergeant.
Paul McLarent and Kev Smythe at this time were
patrolling in a uniformed panda on Lord
Street,the main road running through the
shopping area of Fleetwood,when they heard the
call on their onboard radio from their
colleagues.
”We’ll back up Bravo Juliet 54”,McLarent
said into the radio handset.”Bravo Alpha
received”,”Bravo Juliet 54
received”,”Bravo Juliet 20 with
thanks”,came the response from the scale
Sergeant.
McLarent turned to Smythe who was slowing the
vehicle down,indicating right as they turned
into Poulton Street,making for Broadway.
“Okay,Broadway it is,lets make sure they
don’t get into any trouble”,informed
McLarent.Smythe replied”Could get nasty in
there,that Arnie does’nt like bobbies and he
can be a handful when he’s a mind too”.
”Your right Kev,but,Ian knows him and I’m
sure he’ll be able to talk him down,if the
need arises”,replied Paul.
“Hi Ian,Dave”,called Section Officer
McLarent as both Specials alighted from their
panda on the forecourt of the pub.”You got
some intel on the robbery?”.
“No”,replied Verity ”Just a hunch that the
two offenders may have made to the Broadway
after the robbery,rather than onto the
estate,thought that we would have a word with
Arnie,he may let something slip”.
“Okay,make sure you put your hats on and if
you need us,we’re just outside the
door”,replied McLarent,ever the stickler for
correct procedure where uniform was concerned.
As the two Specials opened the door leading to
the public bar,they were taken aback by the haze
of smoke and the putrid smell of the various
concoctions of alcohol being sold and enjoyed by
the many punters from behind the long bar.
Infact,it struck both officers
simultaneously,that part of the smells that were
hitting their nasal passages were familiar to
them,that of cannabis.This information would be
passed onto CID and the licensing officer at a
later date.
The room was packed,impossible for the two
uniforms to blend in with the large number of
punters in the pub ,both stood out like a pair
of bulldog’s bollocks.
Taylor could hardly see the bar for the various
bodies in front of him,but he pushed on
regardless,gently nudging people out of the
way,with Verity keeping up close behind him in a
type of rearguard action,ever alert to the
possibility of trouble from those who were the
worse for wear and could create problems for the
two officers.
As the two Specials got nearer to the bar,they
recognised their quarry straight away,his
voice,full of drunken earnestness,cutting
through the noise of the pub like a chain being
dragged over an iron manhole cover.
Arnie had spotted and recognised the two
Specials making their way through the noisy
throng of drinkers surrounding the bar,towards
him.
Arnie stubbed out his cigarette and made his way
along the bar towards the two officers,”what
can’t I do for you lads?”,Arnie said with a
smirk,trying to impress those drinking around
the bar.
Arnie Fellows,was fast approaching fifty years
of age,big muscled,tough and with a
weathered,leatherly looking face which showed
his many years at sea as a deckhand on the local
trawlers off the Icelandic coast.
He was also a piss-artist and enjoyed playing
the fool,he liked to impress the young scroats
in the pub,but when annoyed,he quickly sobers up
and could become very violent,which had resulted
in spending many nights in the cells curtesy of
Fleetwood police.
Appearing before the local magistrates on many
occasions for drunk and disorderly behaviour,the
lesser charge was always the case,due to his
victims not making a complaint for assault,for
fear of retaliation .
Arnie was also well know within the town as a
fence,taking anything that had been stolen from
burglaries,or vehicles,exchanging the stolen
items for heroin and then selling on the items
in the Blackpool area at a nice profit.
“Hi Arnie,looking for two males who robbed the
Westview garage earlier this evening”,said
Taylor,at the same time relaying the incident
and the description of the two offenders.
”See two males fitting that description come
in the pub around the back of 8pm
tonight”,asked Verity.
Arnie looked around him,looking into the faces
of those drinking at the bar,looking for signs
of anticipation on any answer he would give to
the officers.” No can’t say that I did,the
pub was busy at that time,would’nt have
noticed anyone coming through the door“,was
the answer given by Arnie.
”What about Paul,Patrick O’Connel,see him in
here this evening?”,asked Taylor”.Yeah,came
in before 7.30pm,I know that because Coronation
Street was just starting on the telly and he
owed me some money from last weekend,let him
have a few pints on the slate,just come out of
prison,paid me alright though”.
”Thanks Arnie”,said Taylor,”Oh by the
way,did Paul,Patrick have anyone with him
tonight?”,asked Taylor.”No”,replied
Arnie,”on his own,he was”.
”Okay,thanks Arnie”,said Taylor with a
smirk,a look of total disbelief in what he’d
just been told.
Arnie got the message,but this was the norm and
what did he care,he knew it was a game of cat
and mouse and he could play the game as well as
anyone,and invariably did whenever the
opportunity presented itself.
The two Specials made their way back through the
crowded public bar towards the doors and
sanctuary,relieved to be leaving this odourous
den of eniquity and welcoming the fresh evening
breeze,as it hit their faces on opening the
entrance door to the outside air,where their
colleagues were waiting on the carpark to the
pub.
They were immediately met with the question from
their Section Officer,“How’d it go
Ian?”,asked McLarent with
expectation.”Better than expected Paul,Arnie
did’nt back up O’Connel’s story
exactly,said he was on his own and only came
into the pub at 7:30 pm,whereas,O’Connel said
he went to the pub at 5:30 pm and was with his
kid.Theres a discrepancy there,someones
lying,but why?”.
“Who’s his kid?I did’nt know he had a
brother”,exclaimed Verity,immediately backed
up by Smythe,who was in total agreement.
“Okay,lads lets move off,chucking out time in
ten minutes,not a good idea to be on the carpark
when their coming out”,remarked McLarent.
Taylor turned to McLarent,”Paul,is there any
night CID on?I think I should have a word with
them regarding O’Connel,they may know who his
associates are and whether he has a
brother,somethings wrong here and I want to get
to the bottom of it.Infact I’ve got a gut
feeling that O’Connel’s mixed up in this
robbery somehow”.
“No idea Ian,give them a call on your
PR.We’ll go back into town,ready for kicking
out time,see you later”.
The two Specials climbed back into the Astra and
almost immediately Taylor called up on his PR,
“Bravo Juliet 54,any night CID on
call?”,seconds later the response came over
the airwaves,”Uniform 23,go ahead!”.
Both Taylor and Verity immediately recognised
the voice as that of Detective Constable John
Oldfield,an ex uniformed bobby who had worked on
scale previously with the two Specials and was
known as pro Special.
”Bravo Juliet 54,can we have a meet?“asked
Taylor.”Aldi carpark do?”came the
reply.”See you there in two minutes”,said
Taylor,as he swung the vehicle onto Highbury
Avenue from Hatfield,making their way towards
the german supermarket on Poulton Road and their
arranged meet with CID.
The supermarket carpark was empty as Taylor
parked the vehicle against the side of the
building,in the gloomy shadows of the
flourescent lighting which illuminated the front
of the store and the heavy steel mesh shutters
which protected the large glass window from the
threat of a ram-raid or more likely from
juvenile nuisance.
“Well Dave,hope that John can throw some light
on the robbery and O’Connel”,remarked
Taylor,as he switched on the vehicles interior
lights,making good use of the waiting time to
bring his pocketbook up to date.
Verity slunk back into the passenger seat making
himself as comfy as possible,CID were’nt known
for their promptness and this could be a long
wait.”
Well let’s hope so Ian,would be nice to put
that smarmy codhead back behind bars and nice if
the credit went to us Specials”,came the
response from Verity as he struggled with the
lumbor support of the seating and whinced in
doing so.
“Ian,heard anything recently about the annual
allowance they might pay Specials ?”,said
Verity,as he finally got settled in his seat.
The annual allowance or bounty was a sore point
with members of the Special Constabulary and an
issue that had been raised at various stages
over the past ten years or more.
With the coming of the Community Safety
Officers,the new Government initiative for
placing more uniforms on the street,bowing to
public pressure,these officers were to be paid
and a part time CSO working ten hours a week
could earn up to £5000 annually,with little or
no paperwork to do.
This of course would not help recruitment into
the Special Constabulary,an unpaid voluntary
service with current retention figures of
12,500,down nearly 8000 in five years.
“Latest I’ve heard Dave,is that the Special
Constabulary Home Office Standing Committee,have
raised the point to the Home Office about part
time CSO’s being paid and the affect that will
have on our recruitment and retention,things
have got to change or we will see the demise of
the Special Constabulary within five years or
less.Apparently the Home Office were in
agreement and will address this issue with the
Treasury,but I would’nt hold your breath
Dave!”,replied Taylor.
Suddenly a knock sounded on the drivers window
of the Astra, making both Special Constables
jump.Taylor turned and saw the grinning face of
Detective Constable John Oldfield as he flashed
his warrant card upwards in a sweeping motion
across the window.
Taylor wound down the window.”You fucking twat
John”,remarked Taylor to the still grining
face that had appeared as if by a conjouring
act.
The reply from the Detective Constable was
instant,”You two nearly shit yourselves,made
my night that has”,as he continued to
chuckle.”Okay what you got for me?”said
Oldfield,as he climbed into the rear of the
Astra.
Taylor and Verity exchanged pleasantries then
related the events of the evening and their part
in the proceedings to Oldfield,with Taylor
outlining his gut feelings on O’Connel,perhaps
having some involvement in the robbery.
“Okay lads you want to know about
O’Connel”,said the detective as he
manoeuvred himself into a comfortable and
relaxed position on the rear seats of the
Astra,lighting a cigarette up as he did
so.”Real codhead that one,but one of the
brighter ones,although that has’nt stopped us
catching him in the past doing his burglaries in
this area”,remarked Oldfield,as he exhaled his
first draw of the cigarette,blowing a white
plume of smoke around the interior of the
car,much to the annoyance of Verity,who was a
non smoker.
He continued,”Lived with Barbara Gedding,long
time girlfriend and mother to his two kids at
147b, Lindel Road,top floor flat,prior to his
latest time spent inside.
Mainly carries out burglaries to feed her heroin
addiction and to supplement their family
benefits,she’ll do a bit of shoplifting on
Lord Street from time to time also,she’s a bit
of a looker too.
Paul,Patrick has a step brother,Peter,who we
believe lives in the Manchester area,got
form,but we have’nt seen him around here
before,mother and step father still live
locally,but will have nothing to do with either
of their sons,good descision that one,if you ask
me,total scroats”.
Verity butted in.”John,one of the offenders
dropped a comb case at the robbery,Manchester
United logo with Peter underneath,sounds like
the step brother.If we can pull him in,DNA from
the comb could match,this could turn out to be a
right result!”,exclaimed Verity,thoughts of a
Divisional Commanders Commendation whirling
round his head.
Oldfield took another draw from his
cigarette,blatently flicking ash onto the
vehicle footwell.”Well Dave,their you have
it,sounds like this job could have all the
hallmarks of the O’Connel’s,if it has they
are going up in the world,not the usual criminal
activity they get involved in,burglaries and
petty theft has been their limit up to
now,O’Connel fencing the stolen items through
Arnie at the Broadway,but times change and
theres a fact”.
Verity turned to Taylor,”sounds like we may
have a result Ian,what’s the plan now?It’s
nearly 2am,if they are at Gedding’s I can’t
see them moving till morning,they’ll lie
low,won’t know we’re onto them,they’ll
think their safe,more fool them.”
“Your right Dave”,came the reply from
Taylor.”Let’s make over to Lindel,keep
observation on the house,before making any
descision on how to proceeed,you okay with that
John?”,addressing the question to the
detective.
”No problem”,came the instant reply,seems
like it’s your job,so run with it.If you need
any advice I will be on my PR,but a word of
warning,if you feel your getting out of your
depth,don’t hesitate,call for
assistance,I’ll brief Bravo Juliet 20 on my
return to the station”.
On that note the detective alighted the vehicle
and made back into the shadows from where he’d
come,trying to acclimatise his eyes to the
fluorescent lighting of the carpark,making to
his vehicle which he’d left parked on Highbury
Avenue,adjacent to the supermarket carpark.
Oldfield mused to himself.He knew both
Specials,having worked with them while back in
uniform on scale,knew their capabilities,there
weaknesses,mainly caused through lack of
training within the system afforded to the
Special Constabulary,Specials saw it as an
affront to their ability to perform the role,but
he regarded both as capable,keen officers.It was
perhaps time for the police federation to take
them under their wing and improve their
lot,perhaps soon,he thought.
“Okay Dave,lets make over to Lindel Road and
Gedding’s”,said Taylor as he fired up the
Astra’s engine.
Verity looked up and nodded curtly.We’ll
discuss our options when we get to the
address”,he said without moving his lips.
The Astra glided to a halt on Lindel,stopping
just short of a cobbled alleyway a short
distance away from the house and away from any
streetlights that would illuminate the vehicle
and show their presence on the street.
The two Specials waited.From this position they
would have a clear view of anyone coming down
Lindel Road on foot and had good line of sight
to the front of the house.Clearly identified by
it’s low lighting behind closed curtains
,further illuminated by a solitary lamp post on
the pavement outside.
If they saw the two offenders they could quickly
manouvre the Astra into a position to apprehend
the males.They dared not risk parking outside
the house in case they were seen by those inside
and did not want to give the game away at this
stage.
Twenty minutes went by with no sign of movement
on Lindel,save the passing taxi and the odd cat
hunting in the darkness from instinct or perhaps
just pleasure.No movement had been observed from
the house and the officers were growing
impatient.
“Ian I think that we should move in and have a
look in the flat,if there in their all well and
good,if not,we won’t get any further
tonight”,said Verity after some thought.
“Okay Dave,your right,lets go”.
Taylor started the engine,doused the vehicle
lights and drove closer to the house,both
Specials alighted the vehicle and approached the
house on foot,both paying keen attention to the
closed curtains and any signs of movement from
within,alerting the inhabitants of the officers
presence.
They quickly reached the steps to the front door
of the house,where they saw two door bells.The
house had been converted into two flats.
Verity pressed the top door bell,which he
thought would belong to the first floor flat,the
home of Barbra Gedding, girlfriend and mother to
O’Connel’s two children .
Suddenly,the sound of an upstairs window opening
could be heard and both officers immediately
looked upwards to see the form of Barbara
Gedding peering down at them.
“Yeah,what do you two want”,shouted down
Gedding,in a less than welcoming voice.
“Police,open up Barbara,we want to talk to
you”,came the reply from Verity.
Both officers could see that Gedding was not
happy with their intended invasion of her
privacy at this time in the morning.“Give us a
minute then,do you know what time it is”,was
the final retort by Gedding as she disappeared
from the open window.
A buzzer sounded operated by he presumed Gedding
in the flat above and Taylor pushed on the front
door which opened immediately to his
efforts.Both officers pushed through and began
to climb the dimly lit stairs leading to the top
floor flat.
At the top of the stairs they were met by
Gedding standing in the open doorway to her
flat.
Verity immediately remembered what Oldfield had
meant when he said she was a looker and she
definitely was.Gedding was about twentyeight
years of age,with short blond hair,good looking
face with a high cheekbone structure under blue
piercing come to bed eyes and noticeable time
spent on a sunbed judging by the bronze colour
of her skin.
She was wearing a light blue,flimsy,pyjama two
piece which complimented her blond hair and
bronzed skin admirably,not forgetting the tops
of her ample breasts and deep cleavage.What was
she doing with a low life scroat like
O’Connel,in and out of prison,what a waste of
womanhood,he thought.
“Can we come in”,asked Verity,thinking about
the way she was dressed or undressed as the case
may be.”We don’t want you to catch your
death of cold,do we?”
The officers entered the flat and were shown
into a room which was obviously the lounge.The
room again was dimly lit by the use of a table
lamp situated in the corner on a small nest of
tables.The carpet was threadbare and the
curtains appeared faded,the room looked like it
had’nt seen a duster in months.
Taylor looking round the room noticed that the
top of the coffee table in the centre of the
room was littered with several cans of Stella
Artois and wondered who had been the owners and
consumers of the strong larger.The ash tray was
also full and the stench of cigarette smoke was
thick within the air of this small room.Again
Taylor pondered who Gedding’s guests had been
that evening prior to the officers arrival.
Taylor started off the questioning.”Right
Barbara,have you seen Paul,Patrick or his step
brother Peter this evening?”
Gedding took a step back at the officers
question,surprise showing in her face,her face
turning a different shade than the one first
experienced by the officers on first sight of
her at the flat door moments before.
She looked down at the floor and mumbled,”no I
have’nt,Pauls at Warrenhurst Road hostel and I
have’nt seen his brother for months”.
Nervousness could be detected in her
voice,unsure of the next question to be
posed,unsure whether she could answer the
questions to satisfy the officers stood in front
of her,unsure whether she could deceive them…
While Taylor continued to question
Gedding,Verity turned to the entrance of the
room and the hallway directly outside,linking
the various rooms of the flat.
The flat would have to be searched for other
occupants and the two offenders they believed
may be on the premises,he may as well make a
start.
He walked out into the hallway,opening a door
directly facing the lounge,he assumed that this
would be a bedroom.He then heard the voice of
Gedding,a warning from behind him.
”That’s the kids bedroom,you wake them up
and there will be hell to pay.I’m warning
you”.
“I’ll be as as quiet as a lamb
Barbara”,replied Verity,as he pulled down on
the door handle and entered the room.
On entering the room he took out his mini
maglite pocket torch and scanned the interior of
the small bedroom,not wanting to put on the main
lights and wake up the kids,incurring the
vengence of their mother.
On the far wall he could see bunk beds with two
young children occupying both tiers.He moved the
torch round the room,no one else apparent,he
closed the door and moved down the hallway.
On reaching the next door which was slightly
ajar and obviously the bathroom,he placed his
arm round the doorframe and reached for the cord
light switch giving it a tug.As the light came
on,Verity thought he heard a noise to his
right,coming from behind the door and the second
bedroom.
He knew it was a bedroom because the door at the
end of the hallway was open,lights on and
clearly exposed as the kitchen.
He moved to the bedroom door placing his hand on
the door handle.As he did so the door suddenly
flew open,the handle pulled from his grasp and
two figures emerged from the darkness of the
room.
Verity was knocked backwards by the first
figure,back against the hallway wall,he managed
to shout a warning off to his colleague,who was
still questioning Gedding,”Ian,two off
them”.That was a far as he got in his warning
as the second figure struck him in the stomach
and he slid down the wall.It was over in
seconds,he lay on the hallway floor like a
stranded fish.
Taylor reacted quickly,drawing his PR 24
baton,sprinting from the lounge to the
hallway,to be met by his colleague lying on the
floor in front of him.Taylor jumped over Verity
and found himself in the entrance door to the
kitchen.
He looked to his right,an open window,the sight
of a foot wearing a trainer disappearing from
view.Taylor rushed to the window,peering out
into the pitch blackness,adjusting his eyes to
the night light,to see two males scarpering
away.
Taylor returned to the hallway,where his injured
colleague was picking himself up from the floor
and his embarrassement of letting the two males
escape from him.
“You okay Dave”,asked Taylor with great
concern.
“I’m okay Ian”,came the reply,a reply that
Taylor was more than happy to hear.
“Bravo Juliet 54 to Bravo Alpha,two running
from 147b, Lindel Road,direction of
travel,gardens to the rear of the
address”,Taylor reported to the communications
room.
”Bravo Alpha received”,came the immediate
reply and then the communications officer could
be heard relaying the Specials message on the
PR,communicating the message to all Fleetwood
patrols,who would now be in the process of
making to the immediate area with blues and twos
disturbing the quietness of this urban
community.
Taylor and Verity were now taking the flat
stairs two at a time as they headed for the
street,Taylor shouting back towards Gedding that
they would be back.
As they reached the street Verity indicated
right in the direction of the cobbled alley that
they had parked close to earlier that evening on
their initial entry to Lindel and first
observation of the house.
They knew that this cobbled alleyway would take
them to the rear of the block of houses and the
rear of the house where the two males had made
their successful escape minutes before.
The two Specials were running round,Verity
slightly in front of his colleague,not panting
now,but swinging their large Maglite torches
into the alleyway at the rear of the row of
houses.The two offenders could be heard,but at
this stage not seen,on a wall adjoining a garage
roof,on to where they had originally escaped
from the rear of the house.
There was no point in running now,since the two
Special Constables knew the offenders were close
by,but this quiet motion,listening to the scruff
of boots on asphalt,was more exciting at this
time,than the the noisy sound of the two-tones
and the response drive to the scene of the
robbery earlier that evening.
Taylor thought he heard movement,the sound of a
car door opening and slamming shut,the sound
repeated,excited shouting voices.Then
recognition as a car sparked into
life,headlights coming on,illuminating a wall to
their right with large graffiti lettering
adourning it,approximately thirty meters to
their front.
Both Specials suddenly jerked to their senses.
Taylor shouted,”Dave,watch out,their in a
vehicle”,Verity looked round at his
colleague,an expression of fear clouding his
face.Immediate thoughts clouding his brain at
what seemed like a thousand miles an hour,he
knew there was little room for the vehicle and
the two officers in the alley,he turned white
with anticipation of the consequences,what the
outcome might be,no where to hide,no where to
run too,and recollection that he was just a
volunteer and did’nt need to be here.
The driver engaged first gear,at the same time
releasing the handbrake,swung the Mondeo round
the entrance to the garage and drove straight at
the officers in the narrow alleyway,the lights
blinding them and the sound of the engine
roaring deafening their ears.
Verity was closest to the approaching car,which
was building up speed.Putting up an arm
instinctively as if to protect himself as he
jumped to one side.The Mondeo’s wing caught
him a glancing blow on the thigh,but his
Monadnock PR24 side handled baton took most of
the force,but still he fell, bouncing off the
rearyard wall of an adjoining house, before
falling to the ground,feeling a sharp pain in
his wrist,He rolled away from the path of the
vehicle and lept to his feet,ready to dodge if
the driver decided to reverse back at
him,thoughts now of his colleague who had yet to
face the oncoming speed of the vehicle,and not
as yet seen by the driver.
Taylor saw the approaching vehicle,his heart
missed a beat as he realised that he would have
to do something quickly,Taylor pressed his back
tightly to the alley wall,again blinded by the
car headlights,awaiting the inevitable impact
and praying to a God who hopefully believed
existed.
Quickly,he withdrew his PR24 extendable side
handled baton,the new issued aluminium
truncheon,from it’s secure housing attached to
his belt.He had no time to extend the
PR24,before the front of the Mondeo was on him.
As the vehicle made to accelerate passed him,he
waited until he was nearly inline with the
windscreen,clearly seeing the drivers glazed
look as they stared each other out in what
seemed like an eternity,but infact,was a split
micro second of time.
Taylor brought the PR24 up above his right
shoulder knowing his swing would be restricted
by the wall behind,struggling for position,he
closed his eyes as he brought it down hard on
the windsreen directly in front of the drivers
face.
The windsreen shattered as if in slow
motion.Thousands of tiny slivers of glass,some
finding there way onto the bonnet of the
Mondeo,leaving a frosted look behind,obscuring
the drivers view of the alley to the front and
his chosen escape route.Panic setting in as the
driver realised that a crash was inevitable and
imminent,just time to place an arm in front of
his face and scream at his friend and passenger
“We’re going to hit!”.
The Mondeo struck the side wall, scraping
violently as it slid it’s way along the
remaining thirty meters of brick and mortar,a
terrible ripping noise like someone scratching
their fingernail across a blackboard,but
louder,sparks flying illuminating the inky
blackness of the alley,gorging the right hand
wing,at the same time ripping it apart like a
tinopener going through a tin can.
Vearing off the wall,the vehicle continued,the
driver losing total control now as the high
fencing emerged in front of the vehicle,no
stopping now,no avoidance,the fencing breaking
apart like matchwood,striking the bonnet as the
Mondeo tore through.Finally coming to a halt in
the rear garden of a house, stopping as it hit a
stone patio and DIY brick barbecue,turning the
bonnet into a grotesque‘W’ shape.
In moments the enormity of all that had happened
was plain.Instantly both Specials were
transported to a world of chaos but with
deafening silence. Then,as if all movement were
denied them,as if paralysed by the unreality of
it all,They approached the now silent
Mondeo,Taylor in front with Verity in close
attendance,feeding information through his PR
set to the communications room,as the lights
from the house began to come on,disbelieving
faces peering out from behind closed curtains at
the carnage in their once proud garden.
As they got closer,suddenly the drivers door
opened with a loud creaking noise.A fair
hairedmales head and shoulders appeared blood
clearly visible from a gash to his forehead
sustained in the crash.
He sprang from the vehicle,making the three or
four meters to the fence on the opposite side of
the garden.A disused concrete coal shed was
situated by the side of the fence,this aided his
escape as he scrambled over the fence into the
neighbouring garden and driveway leading to the
front of the house and Lindel Road.
Both Verity and Taylor peered into the crashed
vehicle,a male lay in the front passenger
seat,dazed,moaning,with blood flowing from his
right forearm,the arm he had used to protect
himself from the windscreen and dash on
impact.The passenger was known to both
officers.A Stephen Dale,local joy rider with
convictions for UTMV as long as your arm.
Taylor shouted to Verity,”Dave stay with the
passenger,use your PR for an ambulance,I’ll go
after the driver,I think it’s Peter O’Connel”.
Taylor also used the coal shed to get over the
fence,landing heavily on the other side he swore
to himself,”Shit”.Fuck this for a game of
soldiers”,he thought.
On reaching Lindel he turned left on the
pavement,seeing the fleeing male turn a corner
20 meters away,he ran after him,knowing that
once the offender was round the corner,he would
be presented with the Greenfield park,thick
bushes,tree lined,childrens play area,a
scattering of low buildings,all offering
concealment from the pursuing officer.
By now Taylor was getting out of breath,but kept
up the pursuit as he reached the same corner the
male had reached only seconds before.
Although he trained regulary for a fortyfive
year old,wearing nearly an extra stone in
equipment,he was no match for the younger man in
jacket and trainers and he knew it.
As Taylor entered the main gates to the park
entrance,he slowed down,adjusting his eyes to
the dark moving shadows of the park,attempting
to regulate his breathing and his heart rate
which he could hear thumping away after the
short but explosive run ,his hearing now
focusing on any minute noise in the vast open
darkness.
Unable to separate one shape from another,Taylor
prepared himself from attack from Peter
O’Connel,who he believed was the Manchester
man,the step brother of Paul,Patrick,that he was
pursuing and who must be concealed in close
proximity to the officer.
Then he heard a noise to his front,about fifteen
meters away in what at this distance vaguely
resembled a large group of bushes,bordered by a
broken down ,dilapidated fence.Taylor
immediately knew the location,behind those
bushes was the childrens swing park area.
Taylor walked slowly forward towards the group
of bushes and the fence line,the possible hiding
place of the fugitive O’Connel,apprehensive to
the outcome,it had nothing at all to do with
fear;the adrenalin overrode that,no,more to do
with self-preservation,thankfully also
remembering he was wearing his body armour and
receiving comfort from that precious thought.
As he reached within fivemeters distance of the
bush he braced himself.he could hear in the far
off distance the sound of two-tones,officers on
the way to back him up,he felt more confident
and continued forward.
Drawing his PR 24 in a cross draw technique for
the third time that evening,he adopted the
stance,turning his weak side towards the area
where he believed the offender to be,ensuring
his feet were two feet apart with his knees
slightly bent,weight evenly distributed on both
legs.He was now ready for any lunge the male may
make from the area of the bushes and his hiding
place.
The Special Constable steadied himself,glaring
directly to his front,struggling to see in the
darkness,he shouted into the bushes,”Come out
O’Connel,the games up!”.Taylor knew that he
was’nt invulnerable,even with the protection
of his body armour,it gave protection,but he
also knew that if O’Connel attacked him he
would have to engage the subject to gain
control,and what if he had a blade,the one
previously seen at the robbery by the fat
man,shop staff?
O’Connel responded with movement from the
bushes.Taylor repeated his shout for O’Connel
to come out.Then the officer heard a
scream,O’Connel lept up from his hiding
place,darted out of the bushes straight at where
Taylor had positioned himself.
Taylor saw the glittering of a shiney object
coming towards him,held in the clenched hand of
O’Connel,he recognised it as a knife,he side
stepped at the same time bringing the PR 24 down
on the wrist of the outstretched arm of Peter
O’Connel,who once again screamed,this time in
agony from the painful heavy aluminium of the PR
24 making contact with flesh and bone,at the
same time releasing the knife which fell to the
ground.
Dropping back outside the fighting arc,an area
of approximately two meters,Taylor dropped his
baton,engaging his CS Spray canister from it’s
holder position on his belt with his right
hand,bringing it up level with O’Connel’s
shoulders and with point of aim directed towards
O’Connel’s facial area.
“Stand still,CS SPAY!”,shouted the Special
at O’Connel,who continued to move slowly this
time towards the officer.”Stand still”,again
shouted Taylor,but O’Connel who looked
strangely intoxicated by anger through pain,was
not heeding the officers warning!
O’Connel souted venomously at the
officer.”You’ve broken my fucking wrist
copper!”
Taylor ignored O’Connel.Flicked up the cap on
top of the CS canister with his thumb,again
giving the third and final warning,”CS
SPRAY”, and pressed down on the
plunger,immediately releasing the CS liquid in a
steady gushing jet directed towards
O’Connel,hitting him square in the face,Taylor
again stepping slightly backwards and to the
right,out of reach,lest O’Connel lunge forward
and catch him off guard.
Seconds passed,then slowly O’Connel toppled to
his knees,the CS gas now taking affect.Nose and
tear ducts running,burning sensation to the back
of his throat and other areas of moisture that
had accumulated on his face and that the gas had
come into contact with.
Bringing his hands up to his face,rubbing his
closed eyes vigourously due to the affects of
the gas,O’Connel was now compliant.
Taylor moved in towards O’Connel who was still
on his knees in the wet grass of the
park.”Listen to me,I’m going to help
you”,said the officer once again taking
control.”Turn round into the wind,let the
breeze hit your face,stop rubbing your
face,you’ll only make the affects of the gas
worse”,instructed the officer,at the same time
reaching for the rigid handcuffs also concealed
in a carrier on his belt equipment directly
behind his CS Spray canister holder.
Taylor could see the flashing blue lights of the
secure carrier,Bravo Juliet 40 entering the
entrance to the park through the main
gates,relief finally setting in as he recognised
Emma behind the wheel and soon to have the
company of another colleague by his side.
He told O’Connel to stand up,place his hands
to the front of his body at waist height,as
O’Connel responded Taylor stepped in taking
hold of the fingers of the first hand offered
and applying the top cuff from the outside of
O’Connel’s wrist,he repeated the process
with the other hand.Finally the Special double
locked the handcuffs for safety and led
O’Connel towards the van,where Emma was
unlocking the secure rear metal door .
On reaching the rear of Bravo Juliet 40,Taylor
turned to O’Connel.”I’m arresting you on
suspicion of robbery at Westview garage .
You do not have to say anything,but it may harm
your defence,if you do not mention when
questioned something which you later rely on in
court,anything you do say may be given in
evidence”.This was the standard caution given
to all arrestees.
Emma then searched O’Connel
thoroughly,ensuring he had nothing
concealed,anything he could cause self-harm to
himself,before placing him in the rear of the
van and securing the heavy metal doors behind
him.
Taylor meanwhile retrieved the knife from the
wet grass,placing it in a plastic transparent
bag which he carried in a pouch on his belt
kit,not ideal for this occasion,but it would
have to do.
“Oh,by the way Ian,Dave’s prisoner has been
taken in by the Cleveley’s van,we’ll meet
him at custody”,said the WPC,”An excellent
nights work by you and Dave,bet you feel great
about it and you both deserve too,our scale
Sergeant is over the moon with your efforts and
his updated crime figures”.
Taylor graciously replied,”Thanks Emma,it’s
certainly been an interesting duty,but Paul
Patrick,may have slipped the net,and Barbara
Gedding is also involved,but we’ll see”.
Turning away from Emma,the Special depressed his
Tetra PR pressure switch and spoke to the
communications room.”Bravo Alpha,can you
inform custody,one male to come in,suspicion of
robbery,arresting officer 9268”.
”Bravo Alpha received”,came the reply.
Taylor jumped into the passenger seat at the
front of the secure carrier as Emma turned the
vehicle towards the gates of the park on their
short journey towards Fleetwood police station
and their appointment with custody.
Shortly they were pulling into the rear yard of
the station,Emma reversing the van towards the
large double wooden doors of the custody suite.
O’Connel was taken from the van and placed in
front of the custody Sergeant,where Taylor
related the offence and the reasons for
O’Connel arrest.
The custody Sergeant authorising his detention.
O’Connel was again searched and his property
was booked in,including the knife he had
threatened the officer and shop staff with
earlier that evening.all details being placed on
the police national crime computer and custody
records,prior to him being taken to a cell.He
would be photographed,finger printed and DNA
samples taken and interviewed by CID later.
Verity had moments before gone through the same
process with his prisoner,Dale and was now in
the parade room relating the lead up to the
arrests in fine detail with a flowery,slightly
exaggerated rendering,in addition to the actual
facts to the captivated audience of both Regular
and Special constables in attendance.
As Taylor walked into the parade room,he was
surrounded by his colleagues,who all tried at
once to give him a pat on the back for a job
well done.
Seems like both him and Verity were flavour of
the month,but how long would that last,never
mind,enjoy the moment while it lasts he thought.
Taylor not to be outdone sat down,a cup of hot
coffeee was placed in front of him from the
Regular scales brew fund and summed the long
night up to his colleagues,recounting the whole
duty and the dangers it had presented the two
Special Constables with.
All present in the room listened in with keen
interest and admiration for the work both
Special Constables had put in on this night’s
work.
At the end of the tale,a head popped round the
parade room door,it was John Oldfield,the
Detective Constable.
“Ian,Dave,well done both of you.Don’t worry
about the prisoners,you can leave the
interviews,files etc to CID,just need a quick
statement from you both before you go
home.We’ll also be pulling in Paul, Patrick
and Barbara Gedding”,informed the Detective
Constable.
Both Taylor and Verity were relieved to hear
this.They normally boxed any job off,by carrying
out their own interviews,files,but both felt
totally knackered and needed to get home to
their beds,both officers feeling totally
drained.
“Thanks John”,both officers replied
simultaneously as the detective constable
disappeared down the corridor from view,heading
for the custody suite and a few long hours
interviewing both prisoners for their part in
the robbery at the Westview garage.
”So this is what being a policeman is all
about eh!Ensuring the people of Lancashire feel
safe,involved and reassured.I don’t think
I’m ready to give up my day job yet,do you
Dave?”,he said quietly.”
Both Specials looked at each other,a feeling of
pride and worthiness enveloping them,repect from
their Regular and Special colleagues alike and
gratitude from the public,but both thought it
was time to go home…….. |
