Supportive colleagues make police life easier (From Stroud News and Journal)

Supportive colleagues make police life easier

police seem to find themselves in the firing line whatever they do. If they aren't tough enough they come in for criticism and if they are too heavy they are also brought to task. Rachel Pegg spent the evening on patrol with Stroud's acting inspector Andy Stone and got some first hand knowledge of a policeman's lot.

IMAGINE someone driving up to your home while your family were sleeping, ramming a stolen vehicle into your car and running off into the night.

Then picture someone deliberately slashing your tyres because they know your car.

After all that, think about starting a day's work knowing that while you do your job people you've never met will taunt you as you walk down the street.

For most of us this sounds like an unimaginable nightmare. But all these things have happened to Andy Stone, acting police inspector for Stroud.

Andy has been a police officer in Gloucestershire for more than 20 years. After joining the force in 1979, he worked in locations including Cheltenham and Dursley before being made a sergeant in 1993 and transferring to Stroud.

And although the job is tough, sometimes harrowing and often dangerous, he would not want to do anything else.

He said: "Sometimes it can be very hard. "There's nothing worse than going to talk to the parent of a child who's died in a car accident. I've had to do that half a dozen times and it's no fun.

"There aren't many jobs where you have to put your life in danger.

"But it can also have some very funny moments. "You meet wonderful people, both on the force and in the public. "And you get very close to your colleagues.

"They are your back-up and sometimes stop you getting beaten to a pulp. "You become very protective of them."

Andy's style is to put on a friendly face. He can be tough when he has to be, but understands that when there's no need to prove his authority he can have a laugh with the public.

I went out on patrol with him on the streets of Stroud at 8pm. After visiting a couple of town centre pubs to talk to the staff and check everything is going well, we walked through the train station.

There we met a group of lads about to go on a night out to Gloucester who were ignoring the new bye-law banning drinking on the streets.

But instead of confiscating the rogue bottle of beer in the hand of one of the party, Andy told him to finish it or get rid of it.

He explained: "You don't have to go in hard. "The first thing to do before having any contact with the public is to assess the situation.

"You need to know where to draw the line, but you also need a sense of humour. "People like to know that we are still human."

The next contact we have is in a nearby pub. Andy was recognised by some of those drinking there and, although underlying their banter is a 'professional' relationship, he was happy to share jokes and witty remarks.

Later we moved on to the Subscription Rooms where Stroud College was holding a party.

Andy talked to the organisers about their policy to avoid underage drinking - they were stamping the hands of those who proved they were over 18 so they could be served at the bar - he then agreed to pose for photographs with some of the revellers.

Andy seemed to enjoy talking to the public - and did not mind the teasing that followed us as we walked through the pubs. He said: "Sometimes it is a shame people don't see the person behind the uniform.

"The job does become a way of life. You can't put it down. "You are a police officer 24 hours a day and it is sad that some people will treat you differently.

"But I know that in times of trouble we are the first people they call." During the course of his work Andy has been assaulted and disgruntled 'customers' have attacked his car.

Only recently someone drove a stolen vehicle into his car in the middle of the night. He does not spend time worrying about his own safety, he said, but does think about that of his wife, son and three stepchildren.

"My concern is for my family," he said. "I'm big and ugly enough to look after myself.

"And I know it's only one per cent of the population who have a problem. "Most people want to see more police officers on the beat."

After we returned to the station, I was given a tour of Stroud's CCTV camera system. The 18 high quality colour screens seemed to show every inch of the town and can be directed at any angle, following people around from street to street.

Operator Carol Kennedy said: "I don't think people realise what can be seen. "It can be quite interesting."

At weekends an operator or a volunteer watches the action. If something takes place, the activities are saved on to video. These films can provide useful evidence when cases come to court.

Andy said: "The majority of people want to have a good time. "It's only a small number who want to cause trouble." Crimes can include damage to property, though this has decreased since the introduction of cameras.

"Now having a shop window smashed is a rarity because it is so easy to identify offenders," said Andy. "At one time we were having up to six broken every weekend."

There are also drunken fights involving male and female combatants.

Next I am taken on a tour of the cells. Stroud station has 12 and they are usually at least half full on Friday and Saturdays.

Andy said a typical weekend prisoner is a 17 to 25-year-old male, arrested for fighting. Each small room contains just a mattress and bench.

Some have CCTV for prisoners' own safety because in the past some have tried to set fire to equipment or harm themselves. Just after 9pm, Stroud MP David Drew turned up to join the patrol.

After a week in London, the MP planned to spend the first part of his Christmas break visiting the police, fire station and post office in his constituency.

He explained: "You can't comment on the police unless you go out and see what they do."

A former Maidenhill teacher, David lives in Stonehouse and has an impressive amount of local knowledge.

He chatted to Andy about the latest police news, including Stroud's recently announced 42 per cent crime detection rate for 2002 - the highest in the county.

After a 10pm briefing for all the officers on duty, they were called to the first fight of the evening - a pub brawl in Lightpill.

My last excursion with Andy was a drink-driving and speeding swoop in Berkeley, where I was shown around the mobile police unit by PC Reuben Wyatt.

I was even allowed to have a go with a speed gun, but at midnight decided to call it a night.

Andy had finished his shift in the car, but still had more to do back at the station.

Luckily I was free to go home and, unlike him, did not have to be back for 10am the following day.

Being a police officer seemed a lot harder than I would ever have thought.