0:00:02 > 0:00:05Our lives are blighted by antisocial behaviour -
0:00:05 > 0:00:07whether it's nuisance neighbours, graffiti on the streets
0:00:07 > 0:00:10or too much booze.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Enjoy yourself, have a drink. Don't be a twit all night.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15It's all right, darlin'.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17This is the story of police officers,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19council wardens and local volunteers
0:00:19 > 0:00:22whose job it is to keep it off our streets.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25It's the person who's having to live next door to it
0:00:25 > 0:00:28and having to put up with this. It's just not acceptable.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Welcome to Street Patrol UK.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Coming up on today's programme,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37the street wardens stretched to the limit
0:00:37 > 0:00:41by travellers' campsites at the smartest addresses in town.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45They use this area as a toilet, so they urinate, defecate.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47So just a big mess.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50The greedy thieves whose daylight robbery
0:00:50 > 0:00:52affected an entire community.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Couldn't believe it.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Couldn't believe that so much of the roof had gone.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01And picking up the pieces in a town centre
0:01:01 > 0:01:05with people who've drunk too much and taken drugs.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Am I going to die? - No, sweetie.- I don't want to die!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27The melting pot of a big city brings with it its own mixed bag
0:01:27 > 0:01:30of antisocial behaviour.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32But when that city has over eight million people
0:01:32 > 0:01:35all jostling for position on a daily basis,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38it takes some special skills to keep the peace.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Every capital city is a magnet for people from all over the country
0:01:44 > 0:01:48and the world to see the sights, ply their trades -
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and for some, it may be a chance to change their lives forever.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54London is no exception.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Every year, millions of visitors come to town
0:01:59 > 0:02:03to enjoy the unique attractions the city has to offer.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08It's so diverse. It's the best place. It's my favourite city.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12It's one of the main hubs of creativity in art and music, and it's all on my doorstep.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I love London. I think it's very cosmopolitan.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17It's a lovely place to work and live in.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21You can get on the Tube and be surrounded by different languages.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23A beautiful thing.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The central area of Westminster is one of the busiest,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29most expensive and prestigious parts of town,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33and the Westminster council wardens who patrol this area
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- have a great enthusiasm... - Excuse me, fella! Whoa!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39..for the daily battle they have on their hands.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Over a million people come into Westminster every day,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45and we have to make sure that the streets are clean, safe,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and they can enjoy Westminster.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51When you see the smiles on faces, or when somebody waves at you
0:02:51 > 0:02:54when they've seen you deal with an issue, it makes it worthwhile.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57I get a sense of doing good. I've done something,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00achieved something. It gives me satisfaction.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04However, in recent years there's been a worrying rise
0:03:04 > 0:03:09in one of the most difficult of all antisocial trends - begging.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13This particular spot here, this phone booth right outside my office,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16there's one particular lady who sits here,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and she's obviously disturbing my customers
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and they feel a bit threatened,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23and they feel a bit odd walking in here.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26I do come out a lot of the times and try to move them off,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and when I threaten them that I'm going to call the police,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32they're not worried about it. They tell me it doesn't matter.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35It's a criminal offence. We don't want to come back
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and take any further action.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Although it looks very sad that somebody's on the street begging,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43it's often part of a bigger problem of organised gangs
0:03:43 > 0:03:45who are sending these people out on the street -
0:03:45 > 0:03:47not improving their lives, making it worse
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and using them to make a profit.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Warden Brian spent nearly 24 years in the Navy
0:03:53 > 0:03:56before joining Westminster council,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00and is just the man to keep the area shipshape and Bristol-fashion.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04ID card. Carte de identitate.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Carte.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It's classed as antisocial behaviour,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13and as a council, that's part of our responsibility.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15So we take details, disrupt where we can,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18and feed it back into the criminal-intelligence chain,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and get action taken that way.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24It's affecting the business and the area as well.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27They come in to the tables, eating from the food
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and asking for the money. It's not nice.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33When we serving customers, all of a sudden they come
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and they just asking for money. It feels...not good at all.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Now, I know what you're thinking. It's a hard life if you have to beg.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46But the harsh reality is that begging is illegal.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49It can be intimidating, and it's often linked
0:04:49 > 0:04:51to other types of criminality, like pickpocketing.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55So, just like any other kind of illegal or antisocial behaviour,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59the council has a duty to do all it can to keep it off the streets.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01You on your own today?
0:05:01 > 0:05:05And no ID? You been here one month. You got no ID.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08'This particular young lady's only been in the country,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10'or so she claims, for a month,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12'but she knows that this is the location to beg.'
0:05:12 > 0:05:15So there's intel being passed around,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19either from an organised level, so she's here as part of another gang,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21or she's discovered before coming here
0:05:21 > 0:05:25that Edgware Road is a good place for getting money given to them.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28She's pregnant. So she's been in the country for one month,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31claims she hasn't got her ID card. We've got no way of checking
0:05:31 > 0:05:34or going any further with that.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Because she seems particularly vulnerable,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39we're not going to pursue the issue too much.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41'We're just going to move her along.'
0:05:41 > 0:05:44In the evenings, nighttimes, they'll target the West End
0:05:44 > 0:05:47with flower sellers and other ways of attracting money there,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50and more criminal activity, and during the day,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53when there's not too great a footfall,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56they'll go where they're more likely to get money from passersby.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Begging isn't the only problem facing the wardens.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Travellers sleeping rough
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and creating an unhygienic dumping ground in a residential area
0:06:06 > 0:06:08is also a major challenge.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12With the freedom of movement between European countries,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15there has been a significant rise in the number of people
0:06:15 > 0:06:17coming into the UK, and particularly to London,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20to try and make a better life for themselves and their families
0:06:20 > 0:06:23in any way they can.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28The trouble is, with no money and nowhere to go,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31a group of Romanian travellers have taken up residence
0:06:31 > 0:06:34in one of the most exclusive and desirable addresses
0:06:34 > 0:06:37on anyone's Monopoly board - Park Lane,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40and are making it just the kind of visitor attraction
0:06:40 > 0:06:43that everybody would like to avoid.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52We work really hard
0:06:52 > 0:06:55to make these the best and cleanest streets in the country,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59and then all of a sudden, dropped in the middle,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01you get a camp of travellers,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and the impact that has for people walking past.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07And there's also a fear factor with the crime attached,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11with the pickpocketing and the aggressive begging,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and the other issues that come along with having to survive
0:07:14 > 0:07:18in a foreign country without having a job and a support structure.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23These unsightly encampments have become a real headache
0:07:23 > 0:07:26for the team of wardens, who are determined
0:07:26 > 0:07:30that this antisocial camping is not going to become a blight
0:07:30 > 0:07:33on their beloved city. But will they succeed?
0:07:34 > 0:07:39They use this area as a toilet, so they urinate, defecate...
0:07:39 > 0:07:42So just a big mess.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48It's one thing getting worked up about litter, graffiti,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52gangs of people hanging around town centres late at night.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54But when the one thing that really winds you up
0:07:54 > 0:07:57is happening right on your own doorstep,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59well, that's when things can get out of hand.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Ismail Ali works for a housing association in Gloucester.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06He's been dealing with a dispute between two neighbours,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08and has just had a call from one of the women
0:08:08 > 0:08:12complaining yet again about the other one. He's had enough,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and has decided to sort this out face to face.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18We've come to visit the two households today
0:08:18 > 0:08:21that have been complaining about antisocial behaviour
0:08:21 > 0:08:24and intimidation, just tit-for-tat arguments,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and I'm here to try to defuse the situation
0:08:27 > 0:08:29by dealing with the matter head-on.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Ismail's meant to deal with serious antisocial behaviour
0:08:32 > 0:08:35like drug-dealing, but he gets ten cases a month like this -
0:08:35 > 0:08:39neighbours who simply can't get along.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41HE KNOCKS
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Hiya, Sharon. It's Ismail from Oxbode.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Yeah? - I just need to speak to you quickly.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55The situation is that I've been called by both Tammy and Emma, OK?
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- Not going to make news today. - No. Right, you need to hear me out.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Sharon and her neighbour Tammy used to be best friends,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07but they fell out when Tammy became friends with someone else on the estate.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Thursday night or Friday, I said to Tammy,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12"Why did you text Kayleigh and say you were reporting me?"
0:09:12 > 0:09:16"I haven't done nothing." She said, "I haven't. It was Emma."
0:09:16 > 0:09:18And that was said in front of her husband.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Let him just see it! - Can I have a look at that?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25So, this is Emma responding to you?
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Sharon's daughter has become involved too.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32She and Tammy's friend Emma have been trading insults on Facebook,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and the whole thing is in danger of escalating
0:09:35 > 0:09:37into an antisocial nightmare.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41So you've responded, "I stare cos you always looking."
0:09:41 > 0:09:44"You always got to do and say (BLEEP)."
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- I've just done this. I don't need to approach her.- "I want it to stop."
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I've had to leave everything in the office because of this situation.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- I've just spoken to you. - I can't leave -
0:09:53 > 0:09:57That's fine, but bottom line is, Sharon, that we need this to stop,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- because it'll get silly from here on in.- I never said one word to her.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Both sides think it's the other one's fault,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06but Ismail isn't interested in taking sides.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09The housing association runs this whole estate,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12and disputes between neighbours can poison the entire neighbourhood.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15He needs to nip it in the bud.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18If you guys don't get along, keep out of each other's way.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22If it means you walking across the road, and you don't make eye contact,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I'm happy with that. Do you know how silly that sounds?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27"She's staring at me and I'm staring at her."
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Are you listening? No staring. No looking. Thank you.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I'm warning both households time and time again.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37My leniency, my jurisdiction, will end at some point,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and I will have no choice but to take this further.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Social-networking sites
0:10:42 > 0:10:45have literally taken over housing officers' lives
0:10:45 > 0:10:47in one manner of speaking,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49because a lot of the offences are caused
0:10:49 > 0:10:53via social-networking sites, and this is one of the issues here
0:10:53 > 0:10:55that we're talking about today.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Gone are the days where landlords were only about bricks, mortar
0:10:58 > 0:11:01windows and roofs. They come with very different issues
0:11:01 > 0:11:04that they're faced with. That has a knock-on effect
0:11:04 > 0:11:09on how their behaviour and tolerance within a community is.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Hiya, Tammy. You all right? I was on the estate,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- so I thought I'd come and see you. - Let me get in. You coming in?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Yeah. I'll come to you. Get the kids in.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Tammy's the one who's been making the complaints,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23but Ismail needs her to understand that she's got a responsibility
0:11:23 > 0:11:25to sort this out too.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- I've come here to try and resolve - - You said that on the phone.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I'm trying to resolve it for you, Emma and Sharon.- Yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Obviously this seems like tit-for-tat, yeah?- It is!
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Well, on her part it is. - I just spoke to her daughter as well,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and she showed me the messages on Facebook or whatever,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45and basically Emma is giving as good as she gets,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- and so is Kayleigh, OK?- Yeah, but if you were having an argument -
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Let me finish, Tammy. - You wouldn't back down.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Let me finish, and then you respond, OK?
0:11:54 > 0:11:58You rang today... Do you understand? I need to get to the bottom of it.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Here we go. Let's get Emma down as well.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I'm going to go see Emma.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06This dispute has been going on for four months,
0:12:06 > 0:12:11and if Ismail doesn't sort it out now, it could end up in court.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13I have not got an issue with her whatsoever.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16So what am I meant to do when she says she's got no issues with you?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Tell her to stop staring and saying stuff.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21She's saying she's not doing it.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Or her daughter bringing my kids into it,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26cos I swear to God, I will fill her in.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- Emma? - Yeah?
0:12:28 > 0:12:32I'm Ismail from Oxbode. Obviously Tammy's explained to you
0:12:32 > 0:12:36why I'm here, and it's about the situation with Sharon.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Emma arrives, and Ismail gives everyone one last chance.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43He's inviting all three women to take a cool and calm approach,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46to sit round a table and sort it out together.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50So what we're going to do is, send a letter to your house,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53send a letter to Tammy and Sharon. You'll all come into the office.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56This is our final furlong now, for us to be able to resolve it.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- If we don't - - It's pathetic. It's pathetic!
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- They're acting like children. - That's what I'm saying,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05but I'm getting that same back, so what's the end result?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I'm playing devil's advocate. Do you get me, Emma?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11So bottom line is, as adults, we resolve it, yeah?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14You're trying to make a better neighbourhood of this area, so...
0:13:14 > 0:13:17All right, guys? I will see you soon.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Ismail will now set up a mediation session.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24His no-nonsense approach means he's got a great success rate
0:13:24 > 0:13:29with these types of dispute. His aim is to resolve the argument for good,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33so the whole estate is a happy place to live for all residents.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42When it comes to how metal theft can affect a whole community,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45just take a look at this.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50This is Asfordby Church in Leicestershire,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53which has been part of the village community for eight centuries.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58The Reverend Sue Paterson has been the vicar here for over four years.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It was Easter two years ago. I came in,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and I could see the patterns of the sunlight on the floor.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08You can't usually, cos there's a roof in the way.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10And when we went and had a look
0:14:10 > 0:14:14we found that the entire north aisle had been stripped of all its lead.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17We were pretty disgusted by that.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20But a fortnight later, the lead thieves were back!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22This time they came to the south side,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and they removed half of the south aisle,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and then they came back again and took what was on the porch.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31It was very distressing for the congregation,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33because this church is in use an awful lot.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36We had a toddler group that was meeting twice a week here,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and they had to go and meet somewhere else for a while.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Some of them never did come back.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Little did Reverend Sue know, but hers was not the only church
0:14:45 > 0:14:49to be targeted for such a shocking antisocial theft.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Up to 20 other churches had been robbed
0:14:51 > 0:14:54in three neighbouring counties.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56We're in Quadring in Lincolnshire,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and this is the church of St Margaret's,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01and this church or something of its nature has stood on this site
0:15:01 > 0:15:03for about 700 years now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I was contacted one night by the Reverend Hardingham,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08who's the assistant priest here,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12to say that apparently we'd lost half the roof of the church.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14The lead had been stolen.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17At the tower end, about a third of the roof had been stripped
0:15:17 > 0:15:19front and back, and then on the north face,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22which is the side you can't see from here,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25a further third had actually been stripped, rolled up,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28and was presumably ready for whoever had done this
0:15:28 > 0:15:31to come back and take it the next night.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36The trouble was, at that time, the soaring price of metals,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39including lead, meant that churches across the country
0:15:39 > 0:15:42were easy targets for thieves, who could get up to £1,000 a ton
0:15:42 > 0:15:45for their antisocial loot.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The thefts had a massive impact on the congregations
0:15:49 > 0:15:51of the targeted churches.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55The feeling was one of outrage.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Couldn't believe it.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Couldn't believe that so much of the roof had gone.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03The lead going led us to...
0:16:03 > 0:16:07well, such problems with water coming in.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11And not just the floor, because it was where it could come in
0:16:11 > 0:16:14and sort of ran down on the stonework inside.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- It's made a mess of that. - Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It was a complete shock, and it was sadness as well,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22that people have to do such things.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It's the world we live in, I suppose.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29There were nearly 100 reports of church-lead thefts
0:16:29 > 0:16:32during the first half of 2011.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Something had to be done.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38So Lincolnshire Police set up a task force
0:16:38 > 0:16:40to focus on these antisocial crimes
0:16:40 > 0:16:42that were blighting whole communities
0:16:42 > 0:16:46across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49One particular church warden was that worried
0:16:49 > 0:16:52that his church was going to be hit, he actually drew up a rota
0:16:52 > 0:16:55where himself and some of his community
0:16:55 > 0:16:58were actually sleeping in the church overnight,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01because they couldn't afford the repairs.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06The antisocial side of things was massive on them.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08When we've been doing funerals in here,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10it's quite embarrassing that you're saying to people,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13"You can go and sit there, but there's buckets."
0:17:13 > 0:17:15"Might be better to sit the other side."
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And a funeral is a sad enough occasion
0:17:18 > 0:17:20without having to negotiate buckets.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23So the loss of the lead is far more than an inconvenience
0:17:23 > 0:17:26for the regular congregation.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28It's a major problem for the whole community.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Why would they come back to a building that hasn't been repaired
0:17:32 > 0:17:35two years later?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39And what do you think it takes to replace a stolen rooftop?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Yep - a miracle.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The total bill for the replacement of the roof here,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49then all the incidental damage through water ingress in the church
0:17:49 > 0:17:51came close to £60,000.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55But unfortunately there have been so many lead thefts from roofs
0:17:55 > 0:17:57that the insurance companies who cover churches
0:17:57 > 0:18:01have now capped the amount that they will pay out for any claim
0:18:01 > 0:18:03to about £25,000.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08So this parish was left to find £35,000.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14We've had to do a lot of fundraising,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18because although people tend to think the church can just get a grant
0:18:18 > 0:18:21or get some mysterious money from somewhere,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23actually that's not the case.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27There is no central pot to reimburse churches for lead thefts.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Last year in total we raised over £5,000
0:18:31 > 0:18:34in different events that we'd been running.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Now, because of the roof,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39we've got to raise a tremendous amount of money
0:18:39 > 0:18:42to help to repair the roof.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46When your major focus is raising something like £55,000,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49it really does put the mockers on a lot of things
0:18:49 > 0:18:51that we would have done.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55To me it is the fact that, without the roof,
0:18:55 > 0:19:00we can't function as the church is, and should be for everyone.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06As the investigation hots up,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08will the police manage to stop the greedy lead thieves
0:19:08 > 0:19:11before any more communities are hit,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14or will they uncover much more than they bargained for?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It was clear to me there was a potential organised-crime group
0:19:17 > 0:19:20involved in this type of offence.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25'I've been out on a street patrol of my own
0:19:25 > 0:19:28'to find out what bothers you about Britain today.'
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- And what's your name, young man? - My name is Ron.- Nice to meet you.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Are you local?- I live in Croydon. - OK, not far. South London way.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- Sure.- What sort of antisocial habits do you see that you hate?
0:19:38 > 0:19:41The begging. It's getting out of hand at the moment,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44cos you can't walk in London without being pestered
0:19:44 > 0:19:46for a bit of this, a bit of that,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49so they should not be allowed to be marauding on the streets
0:19:49 > 0:19:53disturbing our peace and quiet, selling us stuff that's quite fake.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Kerry, you're a young mum with two young children.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- What really winds you up?- When I take my little one to the park
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and people bring their dogs into the actual play part of the park,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and they don't clean their mess up or just leave it there,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09or, like, rubbish and fag butts and stuff.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12My oldest is at that age where he could just pick it up
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and put it in his mouth. I just think that's just rude.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18They wouldn't want their kids to do it, so it's not fair on mine.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21So it's not just antisocial. It could affect your kids.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- They could be standing in it, playing with it.- It's disgusting.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Jane and Martin, where are you from? - We're from Hampshire.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- What are you doing in London today? - Having a little adventure out.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Jane, I'll start with you. Tell me about any antisocial behaviour
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- that drives you up the wall. - Nicking copper
0:20:38 > 0:20:43from, um, telephone lines, when your internet suddenly goes down.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45That's been a problem around us.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48That's not just copper. That's all precious metals now.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51We've had TV stations going - hospitals as well.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54People steal any sort of metal. That's a big problem.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56That's unbelievable, that that's happening,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- so that's been a local problem. - Good answers! Thank you.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Enjoy yourselves in London. - Nice to meet you, Dominic.- You, too.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09We've all been out on a Friday and Saturday night in a town centre.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Large groups of people out enjoying themself
0:21:12 > 0:21:16after a long, hard week at work. But it only takes one individual
0:21:16 > 0:21:18to get a bit lairy after having a skinful,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20and things soon spiral out of control
0:21:20 > 0:21:22and ruin everyone's night.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26On those nights, plenty of people get a bit worse for wear,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and their behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31ALL CHEER AND SHOUT
0:21:31 > 0:21:35And when there's the inevitable sickness and scuffles,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38it takes up the valuable resources of the emergency services
0:21:38 > 0:21:40and stops them from dealing with people
0:21:40 > 0:21:43who really need their help.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45HE SINGS
0:21:47 > 0:21:50And that's where this lot come in -
0:21:50 > 0:21:52the volunteers of the SOS Bus in Southend in Essex,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56whose aim is simple - deal with the effects of antisocial behaviour
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and keep their town centre safe and clean.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02They're everyday folk who give up their time
0:22:02 > 0:22:04to work late into the night on the street,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08caring for people who've drunk too much or taken illegal drugs,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and then ensuring they'll make it home safely.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16We've had people with long-term alcohol problems come on,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18underage kids who've drank too much come on.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22We've had people come on trying to hurt themselves,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24somebody who's hurt somebody else...
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- BOYS SHOUT - Absolutely anything.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31ALL SHOUT
0:22:32 > 0:22:35And it's not just about caring for people.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40It's practical things as well, like picking up glass bottles
0:22:40 > 0:22:43left lying around - not only to keep the streets clean, of course,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46but to remove things that could be used as a weapon
0:22:46 > 0:22:48later in the night.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Charlotte's just 21 herself,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55and one of younger members of the team.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57While she's out patrolling the streets,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01back at the bus is the oldest volunteer, 80-year-old Beryl.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07I do every Saturday night, from nine o'clock to three in the morning.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11I find that the bus is needed very much
0:23:11 > 0:23:14for the youngsters that get too drunk,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and I'm known now as the vomit queen,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20because I usually can sober them up
0:23:20 > 0:23:23so they can get them home safe and sound.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28And we keep them on the bus until either their parents come for them,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32or they're capable to have a taxi home.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Beryl's no killjoy. She's got five grandchildren herself
0:23:37 > 0:23:41and knows how much young people enjoy going out on the town.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46My grandchildren think that, um, I do more nightclubs than they do,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49which is a bit upsetting.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52SHE LAUGHS I love the youngsters,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and I'm happy to say the youngsters like me.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01It's the end of the month, and everyone's just been paid,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05so the town is heaving, and for a lot of people,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08this is a pretty intimidating scene.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14A 17-year-old girl has been found on the street,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16and Charlotte, who's training to be a nurse,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20and fellow volunteer Thomas can see she's taken something she shouldn't.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23So, what was it that you took? Was it, like, a pill?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26It was a little pill? OK.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29What we're going to do, I think it's going to be best
0:24:29 > 0:24:32if we give your mum a quick call and ask her to pick you up.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- My friend's picking me up. - Your friend's picking you up?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- My mum knows. - OK. No problem.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- Just sit back for us, yeah? - Is this normal?
0:24:40 > 0:24:44You're fine. Don't worry. Just breathe. You're all right.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- How old are you? - She's 17.- I'm nearly 18.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- You're nearly 18. OK. No problem. - Is my jaw normal?
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- It's absolutely fine. - What have I taken?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55We don't know what you've taken, darlin'.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58If you take drugs, you need to watch what you drink,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01because it can be really dangerous if you drink a lot of fluids
0:25:01 > 0:25:04when you're on drugs. Take little sips of water.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- I ain't going to hospital. - You're fine. Just sit back.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- It's all good. - I ain't going to the hospital.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12That's fine. Don't worry about it.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Just chill out and we'll sort everything out.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Your mum's going to pick you up from there, as well.- No!
0:25:18 > 0:25:21You're only 17. We got to take you up there.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24I need to go home and go to sleep.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Most of the volunteers are parents or really young,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30and it's a good mixture, as well, because it's all ages,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34and the young ones get on better with the really young.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37When they get an 18, 19 year old, they'll listen to them
0:25:37 > 0:25:40a little bit more than, say, they'd listen to me.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- I'm Charlotte, all right? - OK.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45All right. Come on, darlin'.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Thank you so much for bringing her on.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51We'll get you in the back. Keep her calm.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Just sit down. - Am I going to die?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- No, sweetie. - I don't want to die!
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Oh, it's all right. Just take some deep breaths.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- GIRL SOBS AND MUTTERS - I'll look after your eyelashes.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Why don't you put them in your pocket?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Listen, you need to guard my eyelashes with your life.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- I will guard them with my life. - Her eyelashes?
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- I will give these to the lady Beryl. - Thank you.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Beryl steps in to provide assistance.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22It may seem odd, but making sure someone's eyelashes are kept safe
0:26:22 > 0:26:25is a perfectly normal part of a night on the SOS Bus.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28She'd like to collect them later on,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31so I'm quite happy to look after them,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34stick them in an envelope and hope I don't lose them.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36And don't let us catch you wearing them, Beryl!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39While Charlotte takes the teenager to hospital,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43two of the other first aiders, Tom and Sally, are responding to a call
0:26:43 > 0:26:45from Southend's CCTV control centre.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49We're going up the high street because there's a drunken male
0:26:49 > 0:26:51who's in need of assistance,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55so instead of them sending out police officers to go to see to him,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59we're going to assess him, see what help he needs,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01and hopefully get help for him.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05The team's work is amazing.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08By dealing with the low-level problems,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10they allow the emergency services
0:27:10 > 0:27:13to concentrate on much more serious cases.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16When they find the man, Tom and Sally can see
0:27:16 > 0:27:18he's been in a fight. He's hurt his hand,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20and he has a bloody eye.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23THEY SPEAK UNDER NOISY MUSIC FROM CLUB
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Do you want to walk, or do you want to come over to the car?
0:27:54 > 0:27:58- I don't want to go in the car. - No? OK.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- I can't see. - That's what we're worried about,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03because if you can't see out of that eye,
0:28:03 > 0:28:08and someone sees you walking along and you're a bit the worse for wear, they might start to pick on you.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Once they get the man on the bus, they patch up his hand
0:28:11 > 0:28:13and decide to drive him to the hospital
0:28:13 > 0:28:16to get his eye checked out by the doctors.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22Meanwhile, Charlotte's back from her trip with the 17-year-old girl.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It was nice, actually. It was a really successful one,
0:28:25 > 0:28:29one of the bits that really makes the volunteering worthwhile.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32She said, "Oh, Charlotte, will you come to hospital with me?"
0:28:32 > 0:28:35"I really trust you." It just sort of reinforces that,
0:28:35 > 0:28:41actually, I really love doing this. It's really nice.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Charlotte and the rest of the team have had a good night.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46They've looked after people, saved the valuable resources
0:28:46 > 0:28:48of the emergency services,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51and helped keep antisocial behaviour in check
0:28:51 > 0:28:54for all the residents of Southend.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Antisocial behaviour is about a lack of human decency
0:29:06 > 0:29:09and disrespect for people around you.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12If someone's way of life is making yours a misery,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14that's about as antisocial as it gets.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17But lucky enough for you and me, there are plenty of people out there
0:29:17 > 0:29:19that we can turn to.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22And this series is their chance to shine.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25We're on the front line with the highly skilled teams
0:29:25 > 0:29:29of council workers, police officers and local volunteers
0:29:29 > 0:29:32who are committed to keeping our streets safe and clean
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and taking on our antisocial battles on a daily basis
0:29:35 > 0:29:38to make sure that our lives are not blighted
0:29:38 > 0:29:41by other people's bad behaviour.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44This is Street Patrol UK.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Oh, dear!
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Westminster's wardens have got their work cut out
0:29:50 > 0:29:55to keep the city streets clean and free from antisocial behaviour,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59including begging, and the blight on residents and businesses alike
0:29:59 > 0:30:02of some Romanian travellers who've chosen to set up camp
0:30:02 > 0:30:05in one of the most exclusive parts of town,
0:30:05 > 0:30:09and the one everybody wants to own on the Monopoly board, Park Lane.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14This is the central reservation of Park Lane.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18This has no access to the public.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It's just a green area with monuments,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24so people can see it as they go up and down Park Lane.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29Recently the Roma travellers, they've been camping out here,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33and just using the site as a place to sleep.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37I mean, not everyone can say they, um...they live in Park Lane.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41You're spot-on there, Ravi. Despite the uphill struggle
0:30:41 > 0:30:44the 20 local Westminster wardens face every day,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47they find a way to hang on to their passion.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49I love my job.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52I think trying to keep the area clean and safe for the residents
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and for the public is satisfying.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00Nobody wants to live in an area full of nuisances.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But it seems some of the local businesses have had enough.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07In my time here, they make it dirty as well.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Every morning my staff complain.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12They're fed up of cleaning, you know?
0:31:12 > 0:31:15They're making it very dirty.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18I don't want to be saying we're washing every morning.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23Last two, three years, all of a sudden you see so many of them,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25sleeping rough, begging all the time...
0:31:25 > 0:31:27In fact it affects our business, as well.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Sometimes we have to start our days off by clearing away the rubbish
0:31:31 > 0:31:34that's left behind. If we've got clients coming,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36I can't wait for Westminster council to come and clear up.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39For the wardens, clearing up other people's mess
0:31:39 > 0:31:43is not always as straightforward as it seems.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46They use this area as a toilet, so they urinate and defecate.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52So just a big mess. It does smell a bit round here.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55We need to get specialist cleansing done.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58That's going to cost us about £1,000,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00just to get this small area here clean,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02get rid of all the mess,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06the urination, the defecation, the abandoned waste.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09And what we will then do is get this area boarded up
0:32:09 > 0:32:13so that they can't get back in there and do it all over again.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16But, um, unfortunately it takes a bit of time.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20As we all know, without the swift action of the wardens,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24mess like this quickly attracts all sorts of visitors,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28including those most unwelcome of city pests, rats.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Not a sight the residents of this smart part of town
0:32:32 > 0:32:34should expect to see over their morning cuppa,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38and none of us wants to live with a dumping ground on our doorstep.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41I know I don't.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46Just when warden Ravi thought there were no more hotspots to uncover...
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Luckily there's no defecation here or urination.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53There's just litter - clothes, socks...
0:32:53 > 0:32:56scarves hanging round,
0:32:56 > 0:33:00so this should just be a simple litter-picking operation here.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I suspect it's because it's an open area,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06so they probably don't want to do their business round here.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08That's what they've been using the other area to do.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11While Ravi considers the best way to restore Park Lane
0:33:11 > 0:33:16to its rubbish-free glory, below ground, warden Brian...
0:33:16 > 0:33:18HE SINGS
0:33:18 > 0:33:22..and his colleagues are on one of their regular rounds,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24making sure that the underpass
0:33:24 > 0:33:26that links one side of Park Lane to the other
0:33:26 > 0:33:29is clear of the makeshift encampments that crop up
0:33:29 > 0:33:31on a regular basis.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Oh, wow!
0:33:34 > 0:33:38The rough sleepers... Obviously it's dry in here. It's clean.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Westminster's a pretty safe place, all in all, to live,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44and this is where they want to make home.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Anybody who wants to live anywhere
0:33:47 > 0:33:50will make it as comfortable as they can for theirselves,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53hence dragging down mattresses, cardboard,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56and we try to educate the businesses to break down the cardboard
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and stop it being used that way, but it's a long process
0:33:59 > 0:34:03and there's a lot of businesses, so we have to clear up the aftermath.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10The latest official figures show that, on just one night
0:34:10 > 0:34:12across Britain's towns and cities,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15over 2,000 people are sleeping rough.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17And annually in London,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20there are over 5,500 rough sleepers.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24We clear it, they come back almost within days,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27and they reinhabitate it.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31So we're doing our best to clear it so that we can inconvenience those
0:34:31 > 0:34:34that are sort of causing antisocial behaviour
0:34:34 > 0:34:37for the people that are walking through these subways.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40A lot of our staff, after the office is shut,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43will walk through the underpass to go home.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47They've felt intimidated when there's a whole group of them down there,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51and they don't deserve to feel intimidated like that.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55I tell you what - I wouldn't like to have to walk through all that lot
0:34:55 > 0:34:57just to get across the road.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03Moving the travellers and rough sleepers along may seem tough,
0:35:03 > 0:35:08but we all pay our taxes so councils can keep the streets clean and safe,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10and that means clearing up the mess
0:35:10 > 0:35:12that travellers and rough sleepers leave behind,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and pointing them in the direction of places
0:35:14 > 0:35:18where they can get a proper bed for the night.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- Don't think there's needles. - No. There could be excrement.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I don't think they'll walk too far to go to the toilet.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28The issue here isn't so much about needles and whatnot.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33It's about hygiene. Some of the waste issues we have to deal with,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36there are bags that could contain needles, sharps
0:35:36 > 0:35:40and that sort of stuff, so we have protective gloves that we wear.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43It's just purely to keep our hands away from glass
0:35:43 > 0:35:47and maybe other unmentionables that may be in there.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54The clearing of the underpass is an all-too-regular task
0:35:54 > 0:35:56for the Westminster team,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59but they're determined to keep on top of this vital job,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02and take great pride in leaving the walkway spick and span
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and ready for the thousands of pedestrians and tourists
0:36:05 > 0:36:08who pass through every day. And after all their efforts,
0:36:08 > 0:36:12for now at least, Park Lane is pristine once more.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Good job, fellas!
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Because I'm on the street pretty much every day,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20outside of doing the odd bit of paperwork,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23if I walk past something one day, I call it in. I'll fix it.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26The next day it's not there. It's a very fulfilling role.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29There are times when it gets frustrating.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31I take it personally when stuff isn't done yesterday,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34but we always get there in the end.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46In 2011,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48the theft of lead from church roofs in the UK
0:36:48 > 0:36:51had reached almost epidemic proportions,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55with almost 1,200 churches being robbed of their precious metal.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00It's disgusting, and I think the damage done to the buildings
0:37:00 > 0:37:02really of great importance, absolutely...
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Well, it's...it's... it's terrible, really.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09They're expensive to keep them going,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12without people stealing from roofs and the like.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17It's pretty shocking. It says a lot about times today.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21Churches in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire
0:37:21 > 0:37:23were so badly hit by this antisocial pillaging
0:37:23 > 0:37:28that a special task force was set up to tackle these greedy thieves
0:37:28 > 0:37:30who became increasingly bold.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34These weren't thefts that happened at night.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36They happened during the day.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39One or two people said, "Yes, we saw some people on your roof!"
0:37:39 > 0:37:41"We thought you were having some repairs done."
0:37:41 > 0:37:44The church was actually having its roof stolen,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46and no-one did anything about it,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49because they thought it was legitimate.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52That's the brazenness of the crime.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55But the police did take this very seriously,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59and there was a considerable effort went into this.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01I think that's part of the throwback,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04that so many churches in Lincolnshire were being targeted
0:38:04 > 0:38:06at the time.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Lincolnshire Police's investigation
0:38:09 > 0:38:12quickly discovered a number of suspects living in Lincoln,
0:38:12 > 0:38:16and also uncovered a scrapyard where they were taking the stolen lead.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Now, at that time, scrapyards were able to buy metal for cash,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23without having to record the ownership of the metal
0:38:23 > 0:38:25or where it came from.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29It was clear to me that there was a potential organised-crime group
0:38:29 > 0:38:32involved in this type of offence.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35My proactive team were sent to do some observations,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38both on the houses where the people lived,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and also the scrapyard,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44and en route, on day one of that proactive work taking place,
0:38:44 > 0:38:49they came across two vehicles linked to these offenders.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Could this be just the lucky early break the police needed
0:38:52 > 0:38:54to crack the case?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57There was units that were driving down the A1,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01and they recognised some vehicles that were driving.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05There was a Peugeot and a Seat Alhambra,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08and the Seat was towing a trailer,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11which was obviously covered by a blue tarpaulin,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14but the officers that saw it recognised the number plates
0:39:14 > 0:39:17and the vehicles, and obviously, as a result,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19the stop-check was carried out,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and this was the lead that was found to be in the trailer.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25There's just under three tons' worth there.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30That amounts to an entire church roof's worth of lead.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32In the Peugeot were two brothers,
0:39:32 > 0:39:37and in the Seat Alhambra were four other chaps,
0:39:37 > 0:39:39all associates of the brothers.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42And as a result, they were arrested
0:39:42 > 0:39:44and taken to Lincoln police station.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Well spotted, and a well earned stroke of luck
0:39:48 > 0:39:50for the eagle-eyed officers.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54But that was just the start of an extensive investigation.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Whilst they were in custody,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59various searches were done of the premises
0:39:59 > 0:40:02that were linked to them,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05and found on the driveway was a Chrysler Voyager
0:40:05 > 0:40:08which had its rear seats removed,
0:40:08 > 0:40:12and inside the Chrysler was, again, a quantity of lead.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15There would be about half a ton's worth in that car.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17As the evidence mounted up,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21it became clear that the gang had systematically stolen
0:40:21 > 0:40:23from churches across the counties,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26and it seems there was nowhere to hide
0:40:26 > 0:40:29when the gang was caught on camera at the unwitting scrapyard
0:40:29 > 0:40:32that forked out nearly 70 grand in total in good faith
0:40:32 > 0:40:34for the 70 tons of stolen lead.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39This chap here is Tadas Andruska,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42and he's arrived with a quantity of lead.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Once the weight is given, he will then go to the office
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and collect payment for it. Throughout the investigation,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51it was established there was 119 separate transactions
0:40:51 > 0:40:53with one scrapyard alone.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57After they were remanded into custody,
0:40:57 > 0:41:02overnight the theft of lead from churches in Lincolnshire,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05um, almost stopped immediately.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09The police investigation was finally able to link the gang
0:41:09 > 0:41:12to lead thefts from 22 churches,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14causing up to £1 million in damages.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19The case went to court, and after a five-day trial,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23the gang, who were from Lithuania, were finally convicted.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28In total, the gang received prison sentences of over 20 years.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31After serving their sentences,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34the gang could also be deported.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36From what I've been told,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40this is one of the biggest success stories for heritage crime
0:41:40 > 0:41:44across the country, and I hope the success we've had in Lincolnshire
0:41:44 > 0:41:47gives our colleagues across the country a hope
0:41:47 > 0:41:50that we can get similar results,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52and really drive the message home
0:41:52 > 0:41:56that we're not going to stand for it and we're going to take it seriously.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Although they're in prison,
0:41:58 > 0:42:03it doesn't put the roof back on for us
0:42:03 > 0:42:07or do much help to the expenses we've had.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Lincolnshire Police, now, I can't praise them enough,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14because they kept in touch all the way through,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16they cared, they were efficient...
0:42:16 > 0:42:19They got a result.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Since we filmed with our antisocial saviours,
0:42:24 > 0:42:27we've got some updates.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30In Southend's SOS bus,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33volunteer Charlotte is pursuing her nurse's training
0:42:33 > 0:42:36while still giving up her free time
0:42:36 > 0:42:39to lend a hand to the worse-for-wear weekend revellers.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42It's been quite successful. We've kept everybody nice and safe,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45so I feel like we've done a really good job.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47In the case of the long-running dispute
0:42:47 > 0:42:49between two neighbours in Gloucester,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52to Ismail's dismay, one of the women failed to turn up
0:42:52 > 0:42:56for the mediation session, so the dispute continues.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00That's your lot for today. See you next time.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:04 > 0:43:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk
0:43:08 > 0:43:08.