Episode 19 Neighbourhood Blues

Neighbourhood policing's come a long way since Dixon Of Dock Green.

Good evening, all.

From inner-city estates to suburbia, this new

generation of community police officers are on the front line.

Their aim is to develop a stronger bond with the community,

crack down on the crimes taking place on your doorstep

and formulate fast action plans to take down the criminals.

-I said no.

-I said yes.

In this series of Neighbourhood Blues,

we go to the Humberside Police region

and get exclusive access to 12 teams of neighbourhood

police officers as they tackle the problems blighting local people.

-No, I don't care.

-Hey, hey, hey.

And rise to the challenge of making the streets a safer place.

Coming up...

The team take the drug dealers to task.

Police!

Stay where you are. Put that down, mate.

A man wanted for assault is not going down without a fight.

-I said no.

-I said yes.

And there's a clamp-down on drivers looking to illegally top-up

their tanks with industrial-use red diesel.

Looks a bit red, so I'm going to have to do some tests on it.

Neighbourhood police teams play an integral part in the wider

role played by the police force

and they're always there to support larger nationwide operations,

looking to curtail lawbreakers in whatever guise they might strike.

Tonight, the Riverside team are gearing up to execute

a warrant against a property used by a suspected drug abuser,

following complaints from residents about the house in question.

And they are taking no chances against man or dog,

who may be at the address.

This is a dog shield.

It's basically one of our normal riot shields

but it's kitted out to try and prevent dogs from getting at us.

It just has a bit of an electrical charge on it.

Gareth Walker details the minefield of risks

the police are potentially facing at the target location.

The magistrates have given us

a warrant with a power of entry to the address.

There's some intelligence in relation to this address.

There's quite a lot of weapons on it,

swords and things like that inside the address, which,

if you've got people smashing your front door down,

who you don't know who they are, they may well arm themselves with

any equipment that they've got in there to protect themselves.

Silently getting into position to force entry,

the police check the door's locked

then find the optimum position for the battering ram.

Police!

Stay where you are. Put that down, mate.

The two of you, stay there. Put your hands where we can see them, love.

Police immediately detain two occupants safely.

Fortunately, the task goes off without difficulty -

perhaps because one person is just wearing a towel

and the other is naked.

The quivering dog in the cage isn't exactly the threatening guard dog

police intelligence had told them to expect.

-He's not very happy, I don't think, but he's in a cage, so...

-Hello!

You're brave in there, aren't you?

Hello! Aren't you gorgeous?

D'you want to get yourselves dressed?

-There's my clothes on the stairs.

-Get Jenny to come in.

We'll get her dressed in front of Jenny.

-Oh, my God!

-BLEEP!

-Oh, bloody hell.

Jenny, just make sure she doesn't touch anything.

The police have caught a couple who were truly

-unawares as they were sharing a bathtub.

-Where's your towels?

Er, I don't know. That one were just in here.

Find out later if the search for drugs turns up anything suspicious.

The role of the neighbourhood police teams is largely to listen

and respond to residents' concerns about crime, but sometimes

they also take on the important role of rounding up criminals

wanted for causing crimes in the community.

People who are wanted for questioning by police,

who are obliged to attend a police station

if they have broken the conditions of their bail,

often play a game of hide-and-seek.

Over on the south side of Hull, David Mackinder

and Terry Mitchell are looking for a man wanted for causing affray.

They are scouting the streets around the man's home for any sign of him.

A tip-off tells the police the suspect has been seen out

walking with a large German Shepherd type dog

and it's not long before Dave spots the man.

Was it a hi-vis jacket?

He's got the large dog with him

and he looks like he could also be brandishing a weapon.

Stopping the van to make the arrest,

they not only have the dog

but also a large wooden stick to contend with.

Put it down now, otherwise I'll lock you up for affray.

-I said no.

-Put it down now. Put it down...

-But the man continues to resist arrest.

-..now!

-INDISTINCT

-Ali, let go!

When the leaping dog has a go at Dave's arm,

it's time to get the cuffs on.

Get your dog off, and put the stick down.

-You're under arrest, on suspicion of affray.

-No!

-Yes. Yes, yes.

-No.

But that is easier said than done.

I said no!

No!

-I said no!

-I said yes, Ali.

-No.

-I will spray you, Ali!

Relax yourself now.

Sandwiched between two officers,

the man remains determined to resist arrest.

Dave warns he is prepared to use the debilitating PAVA spray

to get the cuffs fastened.

Extra hands are needed and a quick request for backup is radioed in.

We need another patrol.

He's got a large stick and a dog.

If you don't let go of your dog, if you don't comply, I will spray you.

Let go of your dog.

Warnings over, the restraining spray is finally used.

Let's try again, Ali. Let go.

The PAVA's unexpected punch takes effect immediately.

Let go.

-Right, your dog's gone.

-Oh!

Has my eyes gone?

Yeah, your eyes will go, as well, Ali. You wouldn't do as I said.

PAVA is an incapacitant spray now used by police forces

instead of pepper spray or CS gas.

Yes, I sprayed you, right. I gave you numerous...attempts.

Wrestling with the pain, the man finds new impetus to fight the cuffs

but it's a losing battle.

Relax your arm.

OWNER CALLS HIS DOG OFFICER WHISTLES DOG

Right, what you need to do is open your eyes, if you can.

-I can't open it.

-You've got to try.

The agony from the PAVA dissipates on contact with air.

For this to happen, the eyes have to be opened,

but the man insists on keeping his firmly shut.

Can you see where you're going? You need to put your foot up.

I can see nothing! I didn't see nothing.

OK, you need to put your foot up, Ali.

Finally, locked up in the van,

the man's still refusing to see the light, and open his eyes.

Scratches and bites off that dog.

As the errant canine is recaptured

and about to find his way to the pound,

the man makes his way to jail.

He's been totally uncooperative from the start, really.

And, ultimately,

after numerous requests for him to comply,

I've sprayed him with my PAVA spray.

We'll try and get him booked in,

but if his demeanour is anything like it has been on the street,

we might struggle, to be honest.

But we'll take it as it comes.

Do you have an address?

The man doesn't respond.

Ali, where are you living?

Ali, I'm not prepared to take these handcuffs off

until you comply with us.

I can't finish the search until I take the handcuffs off

and we can't book you in until you answer these questions.

Are you going to answer them?

When pressed further, there is still no answer.

The danger is, if you don't talk to us, cooperate with us...

I am falling.

You're not falling.

If you don't cooperate with us,

we'll be forced to take your fingerprints.

Returning to examine the original arrest warrant,

police identify the silent suspect.

Yeah, his nose is bust.

He's been PAVAd, been struggling...

He's been fine until he got here.

A medical once-over confirms there's no cause for alarm from the PAVA,

but questions about his general health hit the same brick wall.

Ali, do you have any medical issues that we need to be aware of?

Because I don't know who you are,

I don't know what risk is going to be involved.

A strip search was authorised to make sure you have nothing on you

that is going to harm us or yourself.

Come this way, Ali.

Matters now need to be resolved,

and potential hazards identified.

Will you answer the questions?

If you don't, you'll just have to sit here

until the time when you're prepared to.

Do you want to try again?

Yep. Put your socks on, then.

In the wake of the strip search,

cooperation is promised and the man's powers of speech return.

-Have you remembered your birthday yet?

-Something August.

Go and wash your face and come back and you can get fingerprinted.

Rinse your eyes with some of that.

Can you see, or do you need me to guide you?

Come this way.

Keep walking. Stop there.

Turn around,

and if you sit down quite low, there's a bench there.

OK? We'll come and see you, shortly.

With the wanted man locked up,

Dave decides to take a closer look

at his arrest file,

and is startled at what he discovers.

This is the original arrest package for this male

that we've arrested a while ago.

It appears as though there's been some kind of an assault.

While he was wanted for a violent assault,

the police reread the evidence to ascertain who owned the dog.

He started hitting her with whatever was in his hand.

He's then taken the dog.

The man pleaded not guilty to assault and theft.

But at court he was given a 12-week suspended sentence,

and a victim surcharge of £80.

The man was not charged with taking the dog.

Neighbourhood officers regularly perform vehicle patrols

around their patch,

paying particular attention to known trouble hotspots,

that can be a magnet for people looking to break or bend the law.

Tonight, John Hamilton and Rich Whelan,

are cruising through a shopping mall car park

that has been known to attract hot-rodding boy racers

looking to show off.

These guys here, these are the proper sort of enthusiasts.

Literally, they just talk about their cars,

look at all the modifications to the cars,

all the latest sound equipment they've got - things like that.

They're not generally the problem, it's the hangers-on,

the little tatty Vauxhall Corsas and things like that,

that hang on around them.

They're the ones that tend to cause the problems.

All the cars seem firmly stationary tonight,

with no fast moves being pulled.

But, as John and Rich continue their drive-by,

a call comes through over the radio.

Not about a boy racer,

but an unruly cinemagoer.

The cinema on the top floor have got a male inside

who has been drinking and being abusive to staff.

He's been asked to leave by security, but he's refusing.

The team deal with drunken people on a daily basis,

but never know how they're to be dealt with

until they can assess them face-to-face.

On arriving at the scene, they find the man to be fairly composed,

but the police need to take his details anyway.

Obviously, it was the heat of the moment, I didn't...

I can't remember saying that.

Said some choice words.

Don't remember that, at all.

OK.

Erm... I'm willing to leave now.

-Have you got his details?

-No.

-Just take your name, then you can leave.

-Yeah, yeah.

A member of the cinema staff thinks the man should apologise

for all the disruption he has caused.

But, any apology is hesitantly forthcoming.

But at the end of the day...

-I'm out.

-The man is on his way.

But just when they think the matter is done and dusted,

another call comes in over the radio for Rich.

It could be in relation to the male that's just been ejected.

Because he is still outside on the ramp.

This chap wanders up, starts initially saying,

"Have you got any fags?"

-And then starts getting a little aggressive.

-Right.

I don't know what his problem is,

but he seems to have unfortunately taken something to heart.

-He has just been ejected from the cinema.

-Has he?

-It's why we're here.

-Oh, sorry.

-Oh, no, it's fine. It's not a problem.

That's some of the reason we're waiting around,

to see he didn't cause any more issues.

Well, he just seems to have a little bit of annoyance about something.

-Anyway, sorry. Thank you.

-No, you're welcome. No problem, at all.

With the information to hand, Rich sets about

trying to find the drunken man

before he can insult anyone else.

They track the man down.

He's been refused a taxi home,

but he's not going anywhere without getting a ticket.

You just cancelled my taxi?

We haven't cancelled it, he's just decided not to take you.

Another driver will take you, however...

Hang on with your call, mate.

The patrol here is going to issue you with a ticket,

then you can be on your way.

Ticket for what?

-Just to ban you from the area, that's all.

-For what?

Because you're drunk.

The patrol team arrives on the scene

and when the man has been given a Section 27 dispersal notice,

they will escort him from the premises to ensure that he leaves.

We're going to give you a notice to ban you from the area.

Yeah, yeah, fair enough.

It gives that last opportunity to get out of the area

and stay out of the area, sober up,

without having to arrest him.

With the man taken away, the cinemagoers of St Stephens

can continue to watch their movie

without any further unscheduled intervals

caused by the man's drunken antics.

Executing a search warrant for drugs...

police officers surprise two people in the bath...

Two of you, stay there.

Put your hands where we can see them, love.

..and found a captive dog, who seems more frightened than frightening.

You're not happy, are you?

-LOW GROWL

-Bless ya.

Come here, love. Have to put you in cuffs

whilst we're wandering about, all right?

These people the police have found,

are not the registered tenants of the house.

They have just enough time to cover up their modesty

before they get questioned about why they are in the house,

and the whole place gets searched.

Waiting for the sniffer dog,

officers take a preliminary look around,

immediately discovering suspicious items.

That's enough to get them in for me. We can get them both in, can't we?

Just searching the higher parts, until the dog comes in.

Found a bag of white powder which potentially looks like M-Cat

or some sort of amphetamine.

Erm, coupled with that,

we've got...

..scales in a box with cash in, as well.

And empty sachets, so, for me,

it's enough probably to get them for

possession with intent to supply, at this time.

But I'll discuss it with the rest of the team.

It's time to read the bath-time buddies their rights.

We just found some drugs in there, all right?

INDISTINCT RESPONSE

Well, at this time, you are both under arrest

-for possession with intent to supply

-BLEEP...

which is Class B, we believe.

The sniffer dog arrives.

Before he can even get going, his handler's spotted more evidence.

INDISTINCT EXCHANGE

Anything else in here you can think of, mate?

No, I've been everywhere but nothing.

The police fear they may be

confronted by someone wielding a weapon.

Doesn't look very nice.

But whilst there are a number of Oriental blades on display,

they do appear to be purely ornamental..

if very menacing.

As the suspects are taken to the police station,

it turns out the house has more secrets to reveal.

And evidence to be bagged up.

Got some little bags... Some little funky motif on.

Probably used for some sort of deals.

They like little characters.

Some sort of white residue.

White residue with a set of scales.

It could be M-Cat

by the looks of it.

The hunt for drugs continues in the kitchen,

where Gareth finds something other than frozen peas in the freezer.

Generally people keep amphetamine as a paste substance in the freezer.

So we're guessing that's what that is at this stage.

But, obviously, it will require testing for fingerprints,

and testing of what the actual substance is.

And it's now time to help the nervous-looking dog,

who had been quivering in the cage.

Hello...!

We moved him in here, just so that the drugs dog

can go and carry on its search in the living room.

So it can progress the search, really.

It's one dog out, and another in,

as the search extends throughout the house.

Returning to the bathroom,

the dog's attention is caught by the woman's abandoned handbag.

The handbag doesn't turn up trumps for the team.

But the dog switches his attention to a nearby rucksack.

And this time his nose is on the money.

Figuratively, at least.

Adding more scales to the haul of evidence,

the dog's done good.

However, no charges have been brought

against those involved in the incident.

It's good news when the team score a result,

but they know there's always another problem just around the corner.

With fuel prices rising,

vehicle owners are finding increasingly ingenious ways

to keep their vehicles on the road

and costs down.

Using cheap diesel, known as red diesel,

which is reserved for tractors, cranes and other off-road vehicles,

is one scam.

Its lower-price leads to lower tax levies,

which can make a real saving in drivers' pockets at the pump.

But thanks to an ingenious coloured dye,

red diesel can be spotted easily.

Samples only take a minute,

and with Customs and Excise on site,

the results are equally swift.

Today, Bridlington police are carrying out impromptu inspections

on cars and vans, ensuring there are no surprises

lurking under the bonnet.

Will you let Keith know,

-that that Transit van is OK?

-Yeah.

But not everyone's happy for their vehicle to be checked out.

-Can I have your names and numbers?

-Same again?

Yeah. Write it down for me.

They've just followed me from outside my house

and brought me down here.

What's all that about?

The police have been stopping all diesel-engined vehicles,

but this man wrongly believes

he has been picked out for scrutiny.

He decides to make his displeasure known.

Protests don't stop the tank dip,

and the preliminary results

immediately raise suspicions.

Looks a bit red, so I'll have to do some tests on it. OK?

INDISTINCT SPEECH FROM CAR

I'm going to. Don't worry, you'll be hearing from my solicitor, love!

The red diesel test takes just a matter of seconds

to be carried out, and deliver a result.

It's not good news. As the results come back red,

with a fine to be paid before the van can be released,

the driver's none too pleased.

Get that camera away from me!

-Do you think I'm

-BLEEP

-with you?!

'Ey!

Get it away from me!

Details of the likely fine appear to have lit the touch paper,

but can the man rein it in

when he phones someone for financial help?

A woman arrives and wants to know why the man's in trouble.

We did follow him all the way up from the roundabout.

The man remains convinced that he has been targeted,

but the police confirm that all diesel vans have been tested.

-OFFICER:

-He's not the only one.

They haven't even been dipping 'em as they've been fetching them in now.

They are if they're diesel.

That last one just came in...

It was a fake plate, didn't even get dipped.

-It drove straight back out.

-If it's diesel, it will have been.

The woman pays the fine and gets the man back behind the wheel.

But, he'll have to keep driving

in order to drain the tank of the diesel within 24 hours,

or he'll be fined again.

He stated that the reason the red fuel was in there was because

he believed he lent it to a friend

and the friend has obviously put it in without him knowing.

For some, cheap diesel comes at a very high price.

Round about £550 today

and...

she's come down and paid it all for him, as well.

So he's been allowed, then, to drive the vehicle away.

Not very happy. But that's down to him,

he shouldn't drive a vehicle with red diesel in it.

Live music is welcome on the streets of Humberside,

but finding a suitable volume level

is an art form in its own right.

PCSO John Hammerton steps in to a dispute over decibels.

..and keep it quite low, that is very loud.

We're trying to work in those offices.

We can't hear ourselves think, or the telephone, for your voice.

Everybody has to live, sir.

Don't be so selfish.

It's not easy to be so selfish.

Everybody has to live.

There is no need for you to make that noise here.

No need... I have need.

The council's approach to busking

is they actively encourage busking in Hull city centre.

However, that is too loud.

Some people they are so selfish, they think only after themselves.

John encourages the man to use his voice and not his backup tracks.

I couldn't even hear your singing when I approached!

That's why you're busking, aren't you? It's your voice...

you want people to listen to.

Is he really dealing with a potential Pavarotti?

I think it's very good.

Better than some other buskers we have.

The only issue is some of the businesses don't like how loud it is.

But I've told him to turn it down.

And I think that's appropriate.

Can we have your votes please, citizens of Humberside?

SINGS FROM ITALIAN OPERA

It's never dull in Hull.

While serenading passers-by is encouraged...

begging isn't.

You know the score, don't come back.

When the Vagrancy Act made begging illegal in 1824,

it branded culprits as rogues and vagabonds.

PCSO Karen Smith spots a familiar face blatantly begging,

and decides to put her foot down.

-Right...

-I'm just waiting for...

-No, listen to me.

He usually buys a mag off me, that's why he give me it.

Listen, I know all about it.

I've been called to you specifically for begging.

Karen's moved on a dozen beggars today already.

And it is not long before another familiar face catches her eye.

-James.

-Best seat in the house.

I know you have, hon.

-But you're classed as begging when you're sat there.

-I'm listening.

I know, but people are giving you money.

You might not have asked her for it, but the fact is,

you have to get up off the floor and go sit on a bench.

When you're sat there, you're classed as vagrant.

Although the man's not actively soliciting money,

some people find it impossible to ignore him,

and they're determined to hand over all their loose change.

-You're better off buying the dog some treats.

-I know, but...

You are. If you ever want to buy anything, buy the dog some food.

That's what I always say.

Buy it some biscuits...

It's all right, darl. I'll get it.

I haven't time to, at the moment.

It's all right, sweetheart. Thank you.

-You get it.

-Cheers, darling.

-OK.

-Really.

-Buy the dog some food next time.

-I will next time.

-All right.

Over on the other side of the city square,

Tina Burn picks up the begging patrol and explains why,

although Hull has a number of hostels for the homeless,

demand often outstrips supply.

We've got quite a few hostels,

but we're getting other councils

from the other end of the country

recommending that people come to Hull

because we've all these hostels.

But they're full.

We still have people on the streets because the hostels are full.

So we've got to find somewhere and help them in some form

to stop them being out in the cold.

As night falls and the temperature drops,

many of those who spent the day on the street

look to find a bed for the night.

Living on the street is challenging enough,

without also having to go hungry.

-Right, who wants to have some hotpot?

-Yes, please.

At the Roper Street, Hull, centre

classic winter warmers are menu favourites.

We've got potatoes and mince, sort of, hotpot.

So it's full of goodness.

Swinging by for a chat with regulars and new visitors alike,

Tina Burn helps out with a spot of waitressing.

-Is there any bread?

-Not tonight, no, I'm afraid.

We need the bread for the morning.

We just make up a menu for it.

We try and stick to the menu, if we can.

Obviously, we're a little bit adaptable.

Thank you very much. Cheers.

Washing-up in hand, Tina catches up with hostel worker Tim,

who confirms it's a full house tonight.

Are we full tonight?

Yeah, we're chocka.

All beds full.

We're a winter shelter, with the most vulnerable people

coming through our doors.

This hostel life isn't a lifestyle choice.

Nor should it be.

They've got to know there's more to life than this.

There has to be a point - and that is to get them into their own house,

in their own street,

where they can start to really make a difference.

And it starts here, and sort of branches out.

A good meal, a roof over one's head,

helpful staff,

and a positive relationship with the police

combine to provide a strong base on which to build real change.

Any problems just give us a ring. You know where we are.

-Be careful out there.

-Will do. Take care.

-Bye.

-Bye.

Been really positive since it opened.

It's all going well.