0:00:03 > 0:00:05The friendly, caring bobby pounding the beat
0:00:05 > 0:00:08has always been the hallmark of British policing...
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Fantastic. Pleasure's been all mine, my friend. Mwah!
0:00:10 > 0:00:12..and has even been immortalised on film
0:00:12 > 0:00:14by the fictional Dixon Of Dock Green.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Evening, all.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18SIREN BLARES
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Today's neighbourhood police teams continue that tradition...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25..but also tackle the root causes of crime head-on
0:00:25 > 0:00:28by targeting known hot spots... Unlucky.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..stamping down on antisocial behaviour...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33We're arresting you for a public order offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..and waging war on illegal drugs.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37I can smell cannabis already.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39In this new series of Neighbourhood Blues,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42we follow the policemen and women of Somerset
0:00:42 > 0:00:48as they continue their quest to make our streets a safer place.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50SIREN BLARES
0:01:01 > 0:01:07Coming up, on the hunt to dispel a tip-off about some weed.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Yeah, well, there's a vent, water...
0:01:10 > 0:01:11..electrics. Yeah, definitely.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17After persistently ringing 999,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20the police come knocking for a nuisance caller.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28And a brazen shoplifter is caught red-handed.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32I must... I'm so stupid. I don't know what I have done.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34All right, don't say any more. I'm so stupid.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Most of us have received unwanted phone calls
0:01:42 > 0:01:45and there's no doubt they can be a real nuisance.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46But when the emergency services
0:01:46 > 0:01:48get them on their 999 line,
0:01:48 > 0:01:53it can, potentially, be a matter of life or death.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56There are some people out there who like to call
0:01:56 > 0:02:00police and other agencies on the 999 system to get attention.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01It can be a massive demand on us,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05but it takes our attention away from people who do need us.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07In Somerset, police call handlers are used
0:02:07 > 0:02:09to getting the odd strange call.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Good afternoon. Avon and Somerset Police.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Thanks for the wait. How can I help?
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Like someone who called in to say his chips had been stolen
0:02:17 > 0:02:18by a seagull.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23But one persistent nuisance caller, a 64-year-old man,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27has rung 999 several hundred times.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06One guy who rings regularly, he likes to hear a female voice,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and he will talk and talk and talk, and he's got problems.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12H can be on the phone for, like, 45 minutes,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and you try to say, "Goodbye, can't help you any more,"
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and he's, like, so desperate, you end up keeping talking to him.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21That can be really annoying.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The man will even ring 999
0:03:24 > 0:03:27to discuss the delivery arrangements for his furniture.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08It's just really frustrating because there are some situations that,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10all right, somebody might not be in life-and-death,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13but they probably still need the police and need us quite urgently,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and you don't mind so much when people call 999.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18But when it's something that's nothing to do with the police
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and there's no way we can help, they really shouldn't be calling us.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Call handlers are trained to recognise
0:04:23 > 0:04:25when a call is serious or not.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27And if it isn't, a persistent caller
0:04:27 > 0:04:31might get a visit from the neighbourhood police team
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and then be issued with an acceptable behaviour agreement
0:04:34 > 0:04:36to stop them making nuisance calls.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Every call is treated on its own merit because until we know
0:04:39 > 0:04:41there's not a life-or-death emergency,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43we have to establish that.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So, that's where the time's taken up
0:04:45 > 0:04:48dealing with those individuals, establishing that, you know,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51it's not a life-and-death or a police matter, for instance.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54And at that point then, we can look at taking some firm action
0:04:54 > 0:04:55to reduce them calling.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58The man carried on dialling 999
0:04:58 > 0:05:01even straight after the police warned him not to.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17It can be quite upsetting and distressing,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19but you've just got to try and remain cool,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22try not to rise to it because otherwise you end up feeling
0:05:22 > 0:05:24that you could've handled that situation better
0:05:24 > 0:05:26even if they generally don't need us
0:05:26 > 0:05:29and they need to be told that they shouldn't be calling us.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36It's the end of the line for the prolific nuisance caller.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39After hundreds of 999 calls
0:05:39 > 0:05:43and being issued with numerous orders to stop his behaviour,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45the police have had enough.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47He's now going to be arrested.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08Later in the programme,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12the nuisance caller finally gets the attention he was seeking.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14You need to open the door, please.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Although perhaps not the kind he was hoping for.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Drug problems in quieter rural neighbourhoods
0:06:31 > 0:06:35are a lot lower profile than in big towns and cities,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39and any complaints about drugs will more likely be to do with
0:06:39 > 0:06:43people cultivating cannabis than dealing crack cocaine.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46This morning, Dom Bryant is investigating a tip-off
0:06:46 > 0:06:51that a cannabis factory has been set up at a house in Burnham-on-Sea.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55But the problem with tip-offs is they aren't always spot-on.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Dom needs the homeowner's permission to have a nose around.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03We're here to hopefully gain entry and consent search.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05It's all about the postman's knock.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08If I can get someone to answer the door, that's the key, really.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10As soon as the door's open, really, that's good enough for me.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13It's getting someone to answer the door in the first place,
0:07:13 > 0:07:14that's the tricky thing.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Can go one of two ways.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25No-one's answering.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32But Dom's sure he's seen someone - or something - inside.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34There's certainly a figurine.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38A silhouette. Apparition.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Casper's ghost.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43No, Pepper's ghost, isn't it? Pepper's ghost. That was it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53There's definitely somebody in.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Dom is beginning to think the occupant
0:07:55 > 0:07:57is deliberately not coming to the door... Hello.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00..so he checks with a neighbour. Hiya. Sorry to trouble you.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01I was looking for the occupant of this house.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04She says the occupant is a bit hard of hearing.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Is something wrong? No. Hopefully not. Oh. Hopefully not.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Right, I'll try again. Sorry I can't help.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11No, you're very helpful. Thank you very much.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Dom's found a shed that could be used for growing cannabis plants in.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24But he can't smell anything...
0:08:26 > 0:08:29..or hear anything going on inside.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Boarded-up. Nice, boarded-up lines.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39The shed is the ideal place for growing plants.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Yeah, well, there's a vent, water, electrics.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45Yeah, definitely.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It could be just a normal place,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51but more and more evidence is leading Dom to believe
0:08:51 > 0:08:54someone has set up a cannabis-growing operation.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00There's horse manure down here. Fertilisation.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I mean, that's perfect. Perfect set-up there.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Dom's going to try one more time
0:09:08 > 0:09:10to try to get the attention of the elderly man
0:09:10 > 0:09:14he was sure he saw earlier inside the house.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Here we go. Stand by, planet Earth.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Good morning, sir. What have I done wrong?
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Well, I don't know. How are you? My name's Dominic.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30I'm a police officer from Bridgwater.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Pleased to meet you, sir. Bridgwater, yeah?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I'm very sorry to trouble you so early in the morning. Yeah.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36I'm a little bit deaf. OK, sir.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40I'm here on official business, I'm afraid. Why, what's that?
0:09:40 > 0:09:41We've had reasonable grounds to suspect...
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I'm wondering if you could help me clear up.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46..that there's possibly some vegetation growing
0:09:46 > 0:09:48in one of the sheds out the back.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50I'm here for you to give me a guided tour if possible
0:09:50 > 0:09:53just to make sure those rumours aren't true
0:09:53 > 0:09:55and that can be the end of it.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Is that something you'd be able to help me with? Yeah.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00I'll get my grandson. He does... OK. ..that, you see.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03The man leads the way to find his grandson.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07It's just this particular building I'm interested in.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09This one here.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17That's my grandson. He grows a lot of plants. Does he?
0:10:17 > 0:10:19But not anything... Oh, I'm sure he doesn't.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21I'm not suggesting that. Drugs or anything.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23You know what it's like. People talk. That's why I'm here.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Come back later to find out what exactly Dom discovers
0:10:26 > 0:10:30as he comes face-to-face with the man's grandson.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34We had a problem with a woman in our old house
0:10:34 > 0:10:35who made a complaint... Really?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38..suspecting that we were growing stuff in the attic.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Every day, the police in Somerset
0:10:49 > 0:10:52receive around 3,000 calls for help from the public.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Good afternoon. Avon and Somerset Police.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55How can I help?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Unfortunately, a large number of the calls
0:10:57 > 0:10:59are from time wasters,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02blocking lines and tying up the operators.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05I had someone the other day and it was a serious call.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It was...you know, it was quite horrendous.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10He was wanting to kill himself, jumping off a bridge,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11and it was...it was awful,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13and it really sort of took it out of me.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15But immediately I put that phone down,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17I went to the loo, came back,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and my next call was a lady who was complaining
0:11:20 > 0:11:23because she'd bought a six-pack of crisps, opened them up
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and there were only five packs inside.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27She was really, really angry.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I think people that dial 999 unnecessarily
0:11:30 > 0:11:32are complete and utter idiots, really.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33There is no other word for them.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39There might be another patient or another people needs it,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42but they call just for a joke or anything.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43This is really bad, I think.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45It's appalling. Absolutely appalling.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47A waste of important resources.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It disturbs the emergency services who have got better jobs to do.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I think it's absolutely appalling.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Time-wasting emergency phone calls can be a real drain
0:11:55 > 0:11:59on the police's valuable resources, so the neighbourhood police
0:11:59 > 0:12:02are bent on doing something about those responsible.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08Earlier, we saw how one of the most persistent 999 callers
0:12:08 > 0:12:11had rung in on hundreds of occasions.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24After numerous warnings,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27the man is going to be arrested for wasting police time.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Neighbourhood officer Russ Millier has arrived outside
0:12:33 > 0:12:37the house of the man who is still being a nuisance.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41The police on 999, they've established he's in there
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and now we've got a power of entry to enter the premises.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46He's not answering the door, basically.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52Russ and his colleagues are taking drastic measures to get the man out.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54You need to open the door, please.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Trevor?
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Let's do it while he's at the window.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03It's been done before. It should go in a one-er.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08OK.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11He can be a bit funny.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Have you got a shirt or something? Do you want to put a shirt on?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22HE MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY Do you want to put a shirt on?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25HE MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY Yeah, that's fine.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28I'll take this cuff off. You put on a shirt, then, please.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30The chap that's just been arrested...
0:13:30 > 0:13:33As you see, we've had to force entry to the property.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35..he's got a few issues.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38So, as you can see, Steve's just had to arrest him again.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42He's making these calls, just causing a nuisance,
0:13:42 > 0:13:44wasting police time,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47so he'll go into custody and be interviewed in relation to that.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48OK.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Now he's been arrested, the neighbourhood team
0:13:51 > 0:13:53will ensure he gets the right sort of help
0:13:53 > 0:13:56to deter him from constantly calling the police.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00HE MUMBLES ANGRILY
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Watch yourself, Trevor. HE MUMBLES
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Come on.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Just take it off my hand. Here you go.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Do you see what's happening? Is that fair?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Trevor, come on. No, BLEEP...BLEEP.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17You're going to have to try and sort your door out.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Yeah, I smashed it right in, unfortunately.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23HE MUMBLES INCOHERENTLY
0:14:28 > 0:14:31There are many reasons why the most persistent callers ring the police,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35but with over a million calls a year in total
0:14:35 > 0:14:38coming in to Avon and Somerset's switchboard,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41it's essential the neighbourhood team get the message across
0:14:41 > 0:14:44that they won't tolerate the time wasters.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49The prolific nuisance caller pleaded guilty
0:14:49 > 0:14:52to three charges of breaching his restraining order
0:14:52 > 0:14:58and was required to pay a total of ?375 in fines and costs.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01The short, sharp shock has worked.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03He hasn't called 999 again at all.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Back in Burnham-on-Sea,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Dom Bryant is on the trail of a suspected cannabis factory.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18The homeowner is about to introduce Dom to his grandson.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21HE KNOCKS ON DOOR Tom.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Tom. Tom, like his grandad,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27doesn't appear to be expecting any callers.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Are you there, Tom?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31There's a policeman here to see you.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Tom does finally answer the door.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Yeah. Now, we don't tread on his toe.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Are you all right, Grandad? Yeah.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42This is the gentleman from Bridgwater. Yeah.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Tom, good morning. My name's Dominic.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I'm a police officer from Bridgwater.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49First of all, I'm sorry to trouble you. Don't worry. No problem.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The reason I'm here, I just want to quash some sort of rumours.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54We've had some intelligence to suggest...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I don't where it's come from. An anonymous source.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59..that there's been cannabis convulted...con...
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Basically cultivated at this address.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Can't get my words out now. I know!
0:16:03 > 0:16:06So, rather than a warrant be executed, like you see on the telly
0:16:06 > 0:16:09where they smash the door in and the place gets raided,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I'm here on my own, and I just want you to give me,
0:16:12 > 0:16:13if possible, a guided tour.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Come in and have a look in here first if you'd like. Come on in.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Thank you very much.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Then we can quash these rumours and that'll be the end of it.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Tom doesn't appear to have anything to hide and let's Dom in.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I've built this over the last month. Yeah.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Yeah, very nice. It's not finished yet. OK, yeah.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33But, yeah, I plan to insulate here. Yeah, OK.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Hello, what are you doing?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36As you can see, well, there's nothing here. No, no, no, no.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40And there's nowhere... And those outbuildings over there?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Thanks, Tom. Sorry about this.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45That was an anonymous...? Tip-off. Was it?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Well, people ring in on Crimestoppers, you see,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49which is anonymous.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50We don't know where the source has come from,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54but we have to act upon it. Investigate it. Yes, of course.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Looking around, Dom can see this fellow knows all about gardening
0:16:57 > 0:17:01and clearly has the expertise to grow all kinds of plants.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06He just needs to confirm Tom's not cultivating
0:17:06 > 0:17:10the wrong kinds of plants in the boarded-up shed.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13This is where you used to live, was it?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15This is where I was before. Right. Yeah. OK.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Inside the suspect's shed, it's quickly apparent
0:17:19 > 0:17:22there isn't a cannabis factory here at all.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It's a false alarm.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Dom is now concerned why anybody would call in
0:17:27 > 0:17:29with this false allegation.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Tom, have you got any enemies
0:17:30 > 0:17:32where these rumours could have come from?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Have you fallen out with anyone? Disgruntled girlfriend, ex-emp...?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39We had a problem with a woman in our old house
0:17:39 > 0:17:41who made a complaint... Really?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44..suspecting that we were growing stuff in the attic,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47which was completely ridiculous because the only things that
0:17:47 > 0:17:51were in the attic were all the stuff that we've brought here.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Yeah, of course. You know, family stuff.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56The only green stuff Tom's interested in
0:17:56 > 0:17:58is what he grows in his garden.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I used to do a gardening blog. Did you? Yeah.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05What, in the magazines? Well, just online. Online.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Actually, it was recently put in the local magazine. Oh, yeah?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11But it's just how to grow garlic... Fantastic.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14..and tomatoes and raise stuff like that. Nice. But...
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I'll look out for it. Yeah.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Thanks for your time, guys. And you.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It's obvious that he's a keen gardener
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and knows what he's talking about.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25As you talk, you constantly look round
0:18:25 > 0:18:27and check for any possibilities,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and I'm satisfied there's nothing untoward
0:18:30 > 0:18:32in that premises whatsoever.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34I've been in the house and all the sheds.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36There's not even a whiff of anything, or remains.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39There's always remains, always a smell of something.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43So, I'm happy. We can now scrub that one from the list
0:18:43 > 0:18:44so he won't be bothered again.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Unwanted telephone calls are not always just a nuisance.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Sometimes, they can be very plausible scammers
0:18:59 > 0:19:02that can cause real distress and anxiety,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06particularly to elderly or vulnerable members of the community.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11In Bridgwater, neighbourhood officers Tex Freeman
0:19:11 > 0:19:15and PCSO Dan Wheller are investigating one such call.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17A gentleman's phoned up.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22His elderly neighbour's asked if he could give her a lift to the bank,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and when he's asked, "Why? That's a bit strange,"
0:19:24 > 0:19:26she said that she's received a call, someone telling her
0:19:26 > 0:19:29to get all her money out her bank account and keep it at home.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31And I think probably the gist is that
0:19:31 > 0:19:34someone's going to come round and pick it up and look after it,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36so we'll go and find out.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Fraudulent calls are becoming more and more insidious,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and it's something Tex and the neighbourhood police
0:19:43 > 0:19:45take particularly seriously.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I'll let you go up first as you obviously know her.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49The man has contacted Tex
0:19:49 > 0:19:52out of concern for his next-door neighbour...
0:19:53 > 0:19:57..and that she might be the victim of a telephone con man.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Every year, thousands of people lose money to phone scams...
0:20:03 > 0:20:04Hiya, Maureen, how are you?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08..from a few pounds to their life savings.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Right, we've obviously spoken to your neighbour,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14but can you just run through it again, what's been going on?
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Well, I got this telephone call this morning about nine o'clock.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21The man on the phone claimed he was from
0:20:21 > 0:20:23the lady's bank's fraud investigation team,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27and that someone had got her account details.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29"Have you given any of your numbers away?"
0:20:29 > 0:20:32He kept on about that for about ten minutes.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36I kept saying, "No, I haven't, I haven't, not knowingly," I said.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40"Unless somebody's looked over my shoulder and at my PIN number."
0:20:40 > 0:20:41I said, "No."
0:20:41 > 0:20:46But...anyway, then he got onto this...
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Well, what he wanted me to do.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52"I want you to go to your bank."
0:20:52 > 0:20:54That was the first thing he wanted me to do.
0:20:54 > 0:21:01And he said, "And I want you to draw out of your bank account ?500."
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Maureen was completely taken in by the fraudster.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11And I said, "Well, I shall have to get a taxi or something
0:21:11 > 0:21:13"to take me to the bank."
0:21:13 > 0:21:15So, he said, "How long do you think it'll take you?"
0:21:15 > 0:21:18So, I said, "Well, if I go now,"
0:21:18 > 0:21:22I said, "I could probably be back about 11."
0:21:22 > 0:21:26She then went next door and got a lift with her neighbour to her bank.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29He said, "I want you to phone me at 11 o'clock,"
0:21:29 > 0:21:35he said, "And I want you to...not to disclose any of these details
0:21:35 > 0:21:37"to the bank at all."
0:21:37 > 0:21:40He said, "Because we think it could even be in your bank
0:21:40 > 0:21:43"that there's somebody doing something."
0:21:43 > 0:21:46With her money in her account seemingly at risk,
0:21:46 > 0:21:51Maureen believed she needed to withdraw the ?500 from the bank.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55However, once she got there, she revealed what had happened,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59and the bank were able to assure her that her money was safe.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00They told me then,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04"We would never get in touch with you on the telephone."
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Sorry to interrupt. Something happened, as well.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10When we came back from the bank, wasn't it? Yes.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12You were round mine for a cup of coffee, and a taxi pulled up.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Out the window, I said, "Can I help you?" It was a lady.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18And she said, "We've had a phone call
0:22:18 > 0:22:21"saying there someone wanting collecting from here, number two."
0:22:21 > 0:22:23I said... "It was a man."
0:22:23 > 0:22:26And I said, "Well, no, it's Maureen, the neighbour, a lady.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28"She's here with me now." "Oh."
0:22:28 > 0:22:31So, he's even phoned a cab to get you in. Yeah. Yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35This is what it sounds like, thinking about it now. Absolutely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37The fraudsters had booked the taxi
0:22:37 > 0:22:41to collect a package of money from Maureen.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Fortunately, this time, their plot failed.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Anyone who phones up saying things like that
0:22:46 > 0:22:49or trying to get details and telling you to get money out the bank,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51no banks will ever operate like that, OK?
0:22:51 > 0:22:54So, straight away, you know it's someone conning you,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56let's put the phone down on them.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Maureen's not the only person to fall for this particular scam.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03It's one of the most common.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06And according to Financial Fraud Action UK,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11four out of every ten people are duped by it.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But the biggest thing, Maureen, is just if it's someone you don't know,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17you've not dealt with, and you think they're trying trick you,
0:23:17 > 0:23:18the safest thing is you just be polite
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and say, "Sorry, I've got to go."
0:23:21 > 0:23:23And hang up, OK? And let us know.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Yes. Obviously, if you have any more calls, let us know as well.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29I'm not trying to worry you or anything because these people,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32not expecting them to come round, but what we're going to do,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34we're going to put what we call a Treat as Urgent marker
0:23:34 > 0:23:36on your address, OK?
0:23:36 > 0:23:39So, that means that if you need to phone us,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43and we see your address, that means that we'll have it flagging up early
0:23:43 > 0:23:46so it means that, you know, you'll get an immediate response.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49All right? Thank you very much. That's no problem, Maureen.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Nice to meet you, but sorry it's under these circumstances.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55It's very hard to ever catch the scammers that ring up
0:23:55 > 0:23:59and steal from people or cause them such distress.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01The big thing is don't panic about it.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Just go about your...you know, your life as normal.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07I will do. I'll try. Yeah. Thank you.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10The police will follow up and do what they can,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13but the positive effects of their visit with the victims...
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Take care. Take care.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17..is often the best result of all.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19I'm happy with the sort of reassurance
0:24:19 > 0:24:20and what we've done with Maureen so far.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I mean, that's just the beginning.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24We're now going to start investigating,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26make a couple of calls to these taxi cabs,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29liaise with the fraud squad and make all the enquiries we can.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33I feel easy with the police now,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37and I feel easy and comfortable having to get in touch with them
0:24:37 > 0:24:39if I have to.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43And I think they're such...friendly blokes
0:24:43 > 0:24:48and really thorough with what they're doing.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52I've never experienced anything like it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53It's great.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Still to come,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Dom takes a member of the public on the ride of a lifetime...
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Got him! That's it! Ah, well done, mate. Whoohoo!
0:25:08 > 0:25:12..and a shoplifter does something he might regret
0:25:12 > 0:25:14for the rest of his life.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Please. OK. Otherwise, I can't get the degree.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Please. OK.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I was in the police force for eight years
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and I'm often asked now what was the job like?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32What was it like to race to the scene of a crime?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35What was it like to make an arrest?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Well, now you can find out.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Avon and Somerset have introduced a scheme called Ride Along.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42And it is as it sounds -
0:25:42 > 0:25:45you sit in a car and you will go to incidents
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and you will go and see some of the challenges that we have to deal with
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and you will almost have a better understanding
0:25:51 > 0:25:52of how the police operate in your area.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55I've yet to meet anybody who's not completely surprised
0:25:55 > 0:25:58by some of the things that we do have to deal with
0:25:58 > 0:26:00and some of the challenges that we have to face.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Up for the challenge today is civilian Ian Luckhurst,
0:26:05 > 0:26:10who is going to ride along with one of Avon and Somerset's finest,
0:26:10 > 0:26:11Dom Bryant.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I'm a sociology teacher from Bridgwater College
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and as part of the course, there's a criminology unit,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and so when I found out about the Ride Along Scheme,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I thought it'd be interesting, and hopefully what I can gain today,
0:26:25 > 0:26:30I can take back into the classroom and use in my day-to-day teaching.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31OK? OK. Let's do it. Let's go.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35First up, a look at all the kit Dom needs to take with him
0:26:35 > 0:26:36on every patrol.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Well, it's not the torso of the ex-wife, if anyone asks.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41HE LAUGHS Ooh! See? What is that for?
0:26:41 > 0:26:42Raids or something? Everything.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Not just raids. There's everything I need in there.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46What, for today? Any day.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48That's what you've got to take out on duty.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50HE WHISTLES Obviously, you've got forms.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Oh, my God. So much paperwork, isn't it? Yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54There's the traffic triple.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I thought it would be weapons and Tasers.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58For motoring offences, what we call a traffic triple.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Right. Sharps boxes if we come across any needles. Yeah.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04These are knife tubes, so if we seize a knife,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06we can put it in a tube. How do you feel about the threat
0:27:06 > 0:27:09of, you know, being, for example, pricked by a needle?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12That does frighten me more so than a knife... Yeah.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15..because you're talking six months waiting to see
0:27:15 > 0:27:17if you've got hep B or worse. Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19With a knife,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I'd be fairly confident I could deal with it. Yeah.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24But with a needle, I mean, they do hide them in places like car seats,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27so when you sit in it, you know, things like that.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Dom's been tasked initially
0:27:30 > 0:27:33to find some people who are wanted on warrant.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37It's rather like being a bounty hunter.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I quite enjoy the hunt, you see. I quite enjoy hunting them down.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41I quite enjoy that.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Like the Predator films. IAN CHUCKLES
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Like the extraterrestrial warrior in Predator...
0:27:47 > 0:27:49KNOCK ON DOOR Hello. Very sorry to trouble you.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I'm Dominic from Bridgwater Police Station.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53..everybody today is invisible too.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56He's definitely not there. I kind of feel this need.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58I want to help a little bit and help Dominic,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00but I know it's not my place.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02We're looking for a gentleman that lives here, please.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05My role is simply to observe and see what happens,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07so I kind of feel a little bit helpless at the moment.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11I found that really, really disappointing.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15It's a game of cat and mouse. It is. There's nothing lost.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17But I want a result, you know, and I expect so do you.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Yeah, well, we'll get one.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21People who are wanted on warrant
0:28:21 > 0:28:25are mostly people who have failed to turn up for a court case,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27having been arrested and bailed previously.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28There's somebody in there.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33The next man on today's wanted list lives upstairs in a block of flats.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35They're in there. I can hear them talking,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37but they've seen the police vehicle.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41Dom's not the only one trying to attract this occupant's attention.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Hello. There's someone in. So am I.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Yeah, there's somebody there. I can hear them.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48I'll keep buzzing. Maybe they'll answer.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51All right, I'll knock as well. You buzz, I'll knock.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54As well as Dom, there's a taxi driver downstairs
0:28:54 > 0:28:56and now some neighbours
0:28:56 > 0:29:00all trying to speak to the man inside the flat.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Yeah, I need the gentleman in there, please.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05There's a taxi man downstairs waiting.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Hopefully, he'll be coming shortly, sir. OK?
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Dom can hear children inside.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14I mean, if I think there's kids in there with no adults,
0:29:14 > 0:29:15that door will be going in.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19All right. We need to get that door open, then, cos I'm concerned.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Get him out for me, please.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25All of a sudden, after Dom's threat to break it down,
0:29:25 > 0:29:26the door opens.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30He goes in to look for his wanted man,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33but once more, Dom's out of luck...
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Right, I better go tell him before he breaks the buzzer, all right? OK.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40..and so is the taxi driver outside,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43who was hoping to pick up some money he was owed.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45We'll get them, mate. Don't you worry. All right.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47It's no problem.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50No-one's above the law.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56Later, we see Dom the bounty hunter finally get his man.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08The beautiful city of Bath is a magnet not only for tourists
0:30:08 > 0:30:13attracted by the Roman baths and stunning Georgian architecture,
0:30:13 > 0:30:18but also for students who come here from all around the world to study.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23And if you like to shop, Bath has every kind of shop imaginable,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26including some large department stores
0:30:26 > 0:30:30where, inevitably, shoplifters go to work.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36CCTV operators in this store recognise a man that's just come in.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40He's the person they suspect of stealing some swimming shorts
0:30:40 > 0:30:45a few days ago, and appears to have returned to try his luck again.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50He's not going for the swimmers this time.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Instead, he's selected some expensive tops...
0:30:54 > 0:30:58..and wanders off to find a changing room.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Meanwhile, operators alert the police
0:31:02 > 0:31:05through a special secure network called radio link,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08which connects all the shops and police together.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11They're monitoring it at the moment. I'm solo-crewed.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15If there are any units nearby, I'll give you an update in a minute.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Neighbourhood officer Roger Parker is on the case.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21He's not in any mad rush
0:31:21 > 0:31:25whilst the man in the shop is still under surveillance.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28He's selected other items,
0:31:28 > 0:31:30he's making his way to the changing room,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32so they're monitoring him within the store,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34which is on, I believe, about three storeys.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36So, that's where we are at the moment.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39There's no CCTV in the changing room, of course,
0:31:39 > 0:31:43so it's a matter of seeing what he goes in with
0:31:43 > 0:31:45and checking what he comes out with.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Charlie, Sierra, 16-75.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54The man leaves the changing room with the same items he took in.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Perhaps he isn't shoplifting after all.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01But the operators are still a little suspicious of him,
0:32:01 > 0:32:05so they continue to keep an eye on him.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08We'll have to see how it goes. I mean, you take everything,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11try and keep it down on the lowest level of confrontation
0:32:11 > 0:32:15and just wait on an update from our city link.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19The man has selected another shirt to try on.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Whilst the man is still under surveillance...
0:32:21 > 0:32:22Got any update?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24..there's no need for Roger to hurry.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26OVER RADIO: 'Yeah, men's section.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29'Having a bit of a browse, selecting more items.'
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Something a little odd happens.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35The man picks up the same shirt as he tried on before,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38but this time, heads towards a different changing room
0:32:38 > 0:32:41in a more secluded part of the shop.
0:32:43 > 0:32:44Yeah, let us know.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46The man leaves the changing room
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and now the camera operator is really suspicious.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53He's come out empty-handed.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56He could have left the polo shirt in the changing room,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58so an assistant goes to check.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01It's empty.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03He's either suddenly put on weight
0:33:03 > 0:33:06or slipped the shirt on under his jumper.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14He's actually put on one of the polo shirts,
0:33:14 > 0:33:16got it underneath.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18We've got a description of the make and colour
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and he's just saying he's going round, selecting other items.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Essentially, we've got two people down there behind us,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27we've got one guy there and we've got another guy further down.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Inside, the suspect is carrying on browsing,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36trying to act normally and not draw attention to himself.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41He's in for a big surprise when he leaves the store,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43especially now Roger's joined
0:33:43 > 0:33:46by several plain-clothes security colleagues.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48See where the lady in the red thing is? Yeah.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I'll hover somewhere there, all right? Yeah.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53If you can just position yourself here. Yes.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55We've got two other people there, all right?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I don't want any grabbing and rolling round on floors. No.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59But the minute we get a heads up,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02hopefully we'll detain him and we can get him back in the store.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05So, I'll let Gary know as soon as I see him come out. Yeah.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09What we've done is the people from some of the other security offices
0:34:09 > 0:34:12further down in the SouthGate have come up to assist.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Back inside, another five minutes of browsing
0:34:15 > 0:34:20and nobody has approached the man. He thinks he's in the clear.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Time to sneak out.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27OVER RADIO: 'You should be able to see the male now.'
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Excuse me, sir.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32The man's collared.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38The store's security officer and Roger
0:34:38 > 0:34:42escort the suspected shoplifter to a basement office.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44They suspect he's not a local.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Can you speak English? Yes. OK.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48So, I'm going to ask the security people
0:34:48 > 0:34:50why they've detained you, OK?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I watched as the male selected various items.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54He's then selected a polo top,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57which he's taken into our fitting rooms. Yeah.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Erm, he's then exited the fitting room without the item.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03I've had one of our female staff members check the fitting room
0:35:03 > 0:35:05and she's found the label, which is across on the side there,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08which has been removed from the item, and just the hanger.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Have you got anything on you you haven't paid for?
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Yeah, I've got this. Right, OK. Here.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Right, can you just remove your top a minute?
0:35:18 > 0:35:23The man shamelessly admits to having clothes on he hasn't paid for.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Just this item? Right, have you got another thing underneath that? No.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Do you want to just take that off? Right.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Have you anything, before I search you? No, no, no. OK.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37The only thing on the man is his Italian driving licence.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40As well as the shirt,
0:35:40 > 0:35:44he will be charged with stealing the swimming shorts from a few days ago.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47And what was the value of those? ?74.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51So, ?74 the other day. Yeah, ?74, three items.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Right, so, on the basis of what we've seen today,
0:35:59 > 0:36:03what they've seen, I'm going to arrest you for the theft today
0:36:03 > 0:36:04of that item of clothing there...
0:36:05 > 0:36:10..and three swimming costumes on the 12th of August.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13I mean, is it necessary... Yeah. ..to be arrested?
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Yeah, because we're not looking at one item.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19We're looking at two items and they're over the amount of money
0:36:19 > 0:36:21which we can deal with it in store.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25But it is not possible just to pay for these? No.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29I must... I'm so stupid. I don't know why I have done this.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32All right, don't say any more. Is there something I can do, please?
0:36:32 > 0:36:35The man is just one of Bath's poor students,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38but he's beginning to realise what trouble he's in.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Try to understand me.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I've got an important exam on Thursday... Yeah.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44..and next Thursday again. Yeah.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48So, it is very important for me to do this, please. OK.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Otherwise, I can't have the degree. Please. OK. I know this is...
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Right, listen, listen. I have done something really stupid.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Listen, listen, listen. Calm down. Yes. OK?
0:36:58 > 0:36:59I'm sure we can sort it out.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Just calm down. Keep calm. Yeah. All right?
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Just follow him.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I'm going to hold on to you. Is it necessary? Yeah.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Just want to make sure you don't run away
0:37:10 > 0:37:12cos you might be faster than me. No, I don't run.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15The chances are you probably are faster than me, all right?
0:37:15 > 0:37:16But it's only out the back here.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Right, just want to put your safety belt on.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22After being interviewed at the police station,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25the student admitted stealing all the clothing
0:37:25 > 0:37:29and was released after being given a police caution.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Much to his relief, he was free to take his exams.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Earlier, Dom was on the trail
0:37:43 > 0:37:46of a number of fugitives wanted on warrant,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48but wasn't having much luck,
0:37:48 > 0:37:52and he's not that hopeful about the next one either.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Right, it's a chap who's wanted on warrant. Again, very elusive.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Every time we knock on the door, no-one's ever heard of him,
0:37:58 > 0:37:59nobody knows who he is.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02But this time, he's struck it lucky.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07The man, who is suspected of drug offences, is at home.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11While Dom's ride along Ian looks on from the safety of the police van,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Dom handcuffs the man
0:38:13 > 0:38:15ready for the journey to the police station
0:38:15 > 0:38:17where he'll be held in custody.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Another aspect of the job
0:38:20 > 0:38:22ride alongs get the chance to witness.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26You can't go in guns blazing.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Yeah, it's not really like what you see in the Hollywood movies.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33You know, fire first, ask questions later.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35You can't take that approach at all.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41It's very much almost like a customer relation issue.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43I don't know how much Dom would agree with that.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47You've got to kind of keep the members of the public on your side.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52And the way you deal with that and the way you do that
0:38:52 > 0:38:54is to come across in a very kind of courteous,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57calm, professional manner.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Now Ian, as well as the prisoner, will get the chance to see inside
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Bridgewater's state-of-the-art police station.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07You can't get out of the vehicle until the door shuts behind us...
0:39:07 > 0:39:09OK. ..so there's nowhere for the detainee to escape.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Ian observes the booking in process.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19The suspect's name is taken
0:39:19 > 0:39:21and the charges entered into the record book
0:39:21 > 0:39:25before his clothes are changed and he's placed in a cell.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Right, arms up. That's it. Thanks, mate.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31He'll be held there until he appears in court.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Here we are. Here we are. Cells 13 to 24.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36The cells are not somewhere
0:39:36 > 0:39:39most people would choose to spend the night.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Yeah, not particularly comfortable or inviting, is it?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44But, you know, it's not meant to be, I suppose.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Camera. Oh, yeah.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51No PlayStation. No, no. HE CHUCKLES
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Back on the road, there's more work to be done.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59At a garage, Ian has spotted an opportunity to help.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04He's seen something while Dom was refuelling.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Strange. We were at this petrol station
0:40:06 > 0:40:09and I saw a trike motorbike with a trailer
0:40:09 > 0:40:11and the back flap was open,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14driving up the road with all his petrol cans
0:40:14 > 0:40:17and tools on display and I was kind of, you know,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19pointing out to Dom that there could be a potential hazard.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23It looked like an insecure load A38 outbound towards Highbridge.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25I'm going to see if I can find it, stop it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27SIREN BLARES
0:40:27 > 0:40:31With a petrol can about to fall into the path of an oncoming car,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33there's no time to lose.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Hold on tight. Takes immense concentration.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44For Ian, it's his first pulse-raising blues and twos run.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Got him! That's it! Ah, well done, mate. Whoohoo!
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Sure enough, Ian was right.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01There we go. Good call.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04I'm Dominic. I'm a police officer from Bridgwater.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Let me shake your hand. Hello, madam. Hello.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Hello. Hi. How are you? So, my friend here was a bit worried
0:41:10 > 0:41:13you were going to lose your petrol and all your bits and bobs, OK?
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Yeah, thank you. All right? That's bounced off.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Saw you at the petrol station and I thought, "Oh, blimey."
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Oh, right. Cheers. Thank you very much.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24So, we bombed up the road to chase you down.
0:41:24 > 0:41:266-0 for a PNC check, please.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Is it Reliant-based or...? It is, yes. Yeah.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Very nice too.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Dom's in his element with this bad boy.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37I'm crazy about bikes myself.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41I like bikes and...bikes and cars. Yeah, yeah.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44That's fantastic. A real adrenaline kick, you know.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Erm...yeah, I'm so pleased we got them
0:41:47 > 0:41:50cos when we got to that roundabout, they could've gone either way -
0:41:50 > 0:41:53the motorway or Highbridge Road.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Luckily, we got the right choice and managed to track them down
0:41:56 > 0:41:58and, you know, no-one got hurt.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Thanks for your time. Have a nice day, all right?
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Thanks for letting me know. No problem at all.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05A few words of advice and everybody's on their way.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Getting people to understand exactly what the police do
0:42:08 > 0:42:10and the pressures they face
0:42:10 > 0:42:13is an important part of gaining the public's trust.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17The Ride Along Scheme is a powerful way to do this
0:42:17 > 0:42:20and one which Ian won't forget in a hurry.
0:42:20 > 0:42:21There are several things
0:42:21 > 0:42:23that I'll probably take away with me after today.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27The adrenaline you get from, you know,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29putting the blues and twos on.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32And as Dom quite rightly said, you know,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35it's not all about, you know, chasing bank robbers
0:42:35 > 0:42:37and shoplifters.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39It's really about helping members of the public.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I want to say thank you for today.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43It's been fantastic. Pleasure's been all mine.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45It's been a very insightful experience.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46Nice to have you on board.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Really, it's been great and I hope you've enjoyed it.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Whether it's answering 999 calls or showing members of the public
0:42:57 > 0:43:00how offenders and victims are dealt with,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03we've seen today just how important good communication is
0:43:03 > 0:43:05for the neighbourhood police.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Until next time, evening, all.
0:43:39 > 0:43:40We know we're the last thing
0:43:40 > 0:43:42between something disastrous...
0:43:43 > 0:43:45..and something hopeful.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Just sometimes we make a difference.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50That's why we come to work.