0:00:02 > 0:00:03Get on the floor! Do it, now!
0:00:03 > 0:00:07The Special Constabulary is the nation's volunteer police force.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- Do you know the gent? - Watch your speed.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's made up of over 20,000 members of the public...
0:00:13 > 0:00:14He's gone down there!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17..who give their time to fight crime in their communities.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Out! Get out of the car! Get out of the car!
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Specials combine their day jobs...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Stage, please.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25And home lives...
0:00:25 > 0:00:26There's a good boy.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29..with being serving police officers on the front line.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36Coming up, a teenager with a gun is at large in Cambridgeshire...
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Youth's running now, he's on foot, running back towards Cambridge.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44A suspected drink driver refuses to cooperate...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Will you please just listen? That means don't talk.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51And a shoplifter is caught red-handed...
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Have you been caught doing this before?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- I have, yeah.- You have.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11It's 11am and Special Sergeant Ross Spalthoff is preparing
0:01:11 > 0:01:12to start his shift.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17A member of the public has just called in,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22two boys have been spotted with guns in the countryside near Cambridge.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26There's some youths in a field with lurcher dogs,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29it looks like they're chasing hares.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34It's not hare-coursing season as far as I'm aware,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39and the lady couldn't confirm what firearms these lads may have had.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Ross has been a Special for four years,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45but this is the first time he's been to a job involving firearms,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48and he's aware it may be a dangerous situation.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53Didn't know who these youths were. I had no idea what they'd be doing with the guns.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The vests we wear are knife-proof, they're not bullet-proof.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59So I'm as vulnerable as any other human being
0:01:59 > 0:02:02that might have been approaching that situation.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05It was really walking into the unknown.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Should be about five minutes, Nigel, OK?
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Ross used to work as an accountant,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12but he now volunteers full-time as a Special.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Being a Special is very different to being an accountant.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I love at the moment that I really don't know what I'm turning up to
0:02:18 > 0:02:19each day at work,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23whereas in my other role I did have everything planned methodically
0:02:23 > 0:02:26for months and years in advance.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32I work as a Special to give something back, really, to the community.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I used to just almost, you know, waste my weekends.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I just wanted to do something more productive with my time.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Ross's girlfriend Caroline is a regular police officer,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47so she understands the risks that come with the job.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50We do go into situations where we're...
0:02:50 > 0:02:56in general, where police officers are in a vulnerable position,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and Ross single-crews a lot of the time, he's out on his own,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01he's a long way from any help.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03The worry is he's going to go towards something
0:03:03 > 0:03:05that he then can't fight and he can't do anything about.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Today Ross is responding to a call from a member of the public
0:03:12 > 0:03:17who was concerned to see two youths carrying guns across a nearby field.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21The youths have since been spotted again in a remote area,
0:03:21 > 0:03:22down by the river.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28It's a towpath that runs four, five miles probably out of Cambridge,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30through a couple of villages on the outside.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Obviously where they're going is not accessible by vehicle,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36so it may be that they think that they'll be able to get away there.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42As he approaches the river, Ross is flagged down by some passers-by.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46There's two lads walking along the towpath, got guns over there.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Yeah, that's who we're looking for.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50They walked across the bridge from Horningsea,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54now making their way towards Cambridge. Towards the A14.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56OK, lovely. Thank you.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57Thanks.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Talk-through, please, for all officers at the firearms incident, Fen Ditton.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- RADIO:- 'Yes, go ahead.'
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Thank you. A member of the public at the bottom of Fen Road at Milton
0:04:07 > 0:04:12has said two lads with rifles or air rifles over their shoulder
0:04:12 > 0:04:14have just crossed the bridge at Horningsea,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16they're making their way towards Cambridge.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Repeat, towards Cambridge from Horningsea.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Ross's job is to block the youths' escape route at this end of the river.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27As he arrives, more information comes through about the suspects.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32- RADIO:- 'The suspects are described as 12 to 14-year-olds,
0:04:32 > 0:04:37'one with a pale blue anorak, carrying long-handled brown rifles,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40'obviously that could be rifles or shot guns, over.'
0:04:40 > 0:04:44If the description is correct, the suspects are little more than children.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46The type of firearm is still unconfirmed,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50but it's an offence for anyone under 17 to possess
0:04:50 > 0:04:53even an air rifle in a public place without adult supervision.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57The concern was that these two youths were on a public bridleway.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03One was deemed to be maybe 11, 12-years-old and at that age,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06the law states and my personal opinion is they're not responsible enough
0:05:06 > 0:05:11to have any type of rifle of any kind at that age.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16To me, there's no reason why a 12-year-old couldn't turn that on a human being.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The police's plan is to approach the youths from each end
0:05:19 > 0:05:21of the river and cut them off in the middle.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26But Ross is worried they'll make a run for it across the fields.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30So he leaves the car and heads down towards the lock.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I think I'd rather be on perhaps this corner, at least I can see
0:05:33 > 0:05:37up and down both ways and across the fields as well.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41It's only 10 minutes since the youths were last sighted
0:05:41 > 0:05:43and they can't have gone far.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Good morning, can I have a quick word?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Have you seen two youths with rifles over their shoulders
0:05:47 > 0:05:48going along the towpath?
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Not at all, no. I joined it at the Penny Ferry pub.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Oh right, from Cambridge?
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- I haven't seen anyone there. - OK, lovely. Thank you very much.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01So it's possible that they've come off and gone across fields,
0:06:01 > 0:06:06or they've possibly even crossed over the river and are walking on the other side.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09But we'll try these people as well.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Morning, you haven't seen two youths with air rifles?
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- We've seen one of them. - Yeah, there's a guy with a rifle under the bridge.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Under the bridge, literally just here?
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Just under this flyover here, yeah.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21And that was literally as you walked past?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Yeah.- Cheers, thank you.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26PB Sierra Charlie 90.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- RADIO:- 'Sierra Charlie 90, go ahead.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:34Member of the public just seen a youth, no mention of a second,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36with a rifle of some kind.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41He's under the A14 flyover bridge on the towpath.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43We're literally at the corner now, I can see that area,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48just advise please on whether you want me to approach.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- RADIO:- 'Oscar 1 says yes, that is yes, over.'
0:06:51 > 0:06:54The situation has been risk-assessed by the force control room
0:06:54 > 0:06:57and they confirm that Ross can proceed.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00I think a lot of people think Specials are a bit mad
0:07:00 > 0:07:04for doing what we do for nothing. Certainly for a case like this
0:07:04 > 0:07:08where it was a firearm of some kind, I didn't know what it was,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11to approach and not be being paid while I was doing that.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15But my paid regular colleagues have to put themselves on the line
0:07:15 > 0:07:20in these situations, I don't see it being any different for myself as a Special.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The other police unit has now arrived on the other side
0:07:24 > 0:07:28of the river, and they've got a good view of the suspect.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- RADIO:- 'He has got a long-barrelled rifle with him.'
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- RADIO:- 'That's all received.'
0:07:33 > 0:07:36As he approaches, Ross receives a call over the radio
0:07:36 > 0:07:39from his girlfriend Caroline who's also on duty and has been listening in.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Go ahead.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- RADIO:- 'Can you please be careful approaching people with guns?'
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Yeah, it's only a rifle.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- RADIO:- 'Oh, OK, that can only blow your head off, like!'
0:07:53 > 0:07:54That's my other half.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I'm easily replaceable, don't worry!
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- RADIO:- 'Be careful.'
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Ross arrives at the bridge, keeping his eye out for the suspect.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08It's his first time dealing with any sort of firearms incident.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Knowing that I was first on the scene,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12it's going to be for me to deal,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16that is when the adrenaline kicks in, that's when you start thinking,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19"This is potentially dangerous, this is real now."
0:08:19 > 0:08:24The scenarios really were, what if he lifts the gun and points it at me?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27What am I going to do? Do I hit the ground, do I run, do I approach?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30What if he runs off, do I chase him?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Ross finds the boy, but can't reach him.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Hello, mate. How did you get in there?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42He's behind a high fence, the gun, now confirmed as an air rifle,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44is on the ground beside him.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45Do you want to walk this way?
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Ross puts some distance between the boy and the gun...
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Do you want to walk this way?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53..while he radios Control for back up.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Yeah, with the gentleman now, he's the other side of the fence.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Apparently he's entered where he is through a field.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03So if other officers can make their way potentially,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I don't know exactly where, though, through Milton on foot,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08but I'll try and get over to him now.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Ross sets off to try and find a gap in the fence.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13But as he searches for a way in,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15the boy suddenly takes off along a track.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23The youth's running now, he's on foot, running back towards Cambridge.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26The boy has taken the air rifle and he's got a head start on Ross.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Where the- BLEEP- did he go?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Oh, he's gone down there!
0:09:34 > 0:09:37The youth has headed off across the fields.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The only way for Ross to reach him is to jump over the fence.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45It's all hands on deck now to find him.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50There was probably four or five other units,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52either in vehicles or on foot,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56and by that time the helicopter had also been dispatched.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59The area that we had to chase him through was very close to the river.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Not for one second did I think it was going to be as deep as it was.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09As Ross closes in, another unit approaches from the other direction.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11The suspect has nowhere to go.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- He's down there.- Whereabouts? - I don't know where he's gone to.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20He's got an air rifle thing as well?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23The air rifle is confiscated.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27And the boy is taken to the police station.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30But the 12-year-old is still on the loose.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32He's got an air rifle as well.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35We'll do an area search, continue to look for him.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- RADIO:- 'That's all received, thank you.'
0:10:38 > 0:10:41It's now 20 minutes since the younger boy was last seen
0:10:41 > 0:10:43and he could be anywhere.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Ross comes across a group of lads,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50some of whom appear to be about the age of the suspect.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52You been on the towpath at any point this morning?
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- On the what?- Baits Bite Lock? Been on the towpath? Just one second.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Ross calls control to get a name for the suspect...
0:11:00 > 0:11:03What are your names, guys? What are your names?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07..But it doesn't match the name of any of these boys.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12It's started to snow heavily again and the helicopter reports
0:11:12 > 0:11:15no sightings of the suspect.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18So the search is called off and Ross heads back to his car.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20There is still one outstanding.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Obviously, you win some, you lose some.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26But we've got one detained. Use of an air rifle.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29He's only 14 so the parents are going to have to make their way
0:11:29 > 0:11:32to the station to allow us to interview this lad
0:11:32 > 0:11:35to find out what he was doing and why he had the rifle.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39To me, this is what policing's about. I love the thinking on my feet,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I love the not knowing what's going to happen next.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45But priority number one is protection of the public.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Yes, it could have been dangerous.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Yes, you know, it could have been potentially risky,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54but at the end of the day, that is why we do the role,
0:11:54 > 0:11:58it's protecting the public from these type of incidents.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02After a severe ticking off and the parents reminded
0:12:02 > 0:12:04of their responsibilities,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07no further action was taken against the two boys.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Specials are unpaid volunteers who work alone or alongside
0:12:20 > 0:12:24the regular police to fight crime in their communities.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25Have you got hold of them?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I don't want to see you walking on the main road again.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Come on! - Recovery's obviously en route.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Specials are not Police Community Support Officers.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35They are fully fledged members of the police force
0:12:35 > 0:12:38who have the same powers in law as their paid colleagues,
0:12:38 > 0:12:39including the power of arrest.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- Stop it!- Move over.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- No, no, no, no!- Move out of the way.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Within many Special Constabularies, officers specials can rise through
0:12:48 > 0:12:52the ranks from Constable all the way to Chief Specials Officer.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Ouch! I found a thorn!
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Let me remind you, you're under arrest and anything you say will be written down.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Specials work 16 hours a month or more as volunteers
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and undertake all kinds of duties,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08from policing community events to arresting hardened criminals.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19It's Saturday night in Cambridge and Special Constable, Louisa Bellis
0:13:19 > 0:13:23is heading out on shift with PC Ian Gray.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26They're on the lookout for drivers breaking the law.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30And it's not long before a car in front catches their attention.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Evening, sir. You didn't see us behind you,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37indicating for you to pull over into the lay-by?
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Yeah, I see you but...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42But you didn't stop and pull over straight away?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45OK, the reason I've stopped you is that your windows are too dark.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49These have to allow 70% of light through.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It doesn't matter if the car was bought like that...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- I'm Iranian.- OK.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59But before one stopped me and they say "change this one", I say "OK."
0:13:59 > 0:14:01And you haven't changed it?
0:14:01 > 0:14:06But I went to the police station and speak with them and they say nothing.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Louisa joined the Specials 14 months ago, so is well used to
0:14:10 > 0:14:14drivers trying to talk themselves out of sticky situations.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18I try and deal with the back chat very politely, very firmly.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20OK...
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Things like tinted windows, people know that you shouldn't have them
0:14:23 > 0:14:28and if you give that person a chance you should give everyone a chance.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33So I just tend to give the ticket out and let them learn from that.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42In her day job, Louisa works as a scientist at an academic research institute.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47I'm a chemo-informatic scientist which means I mix chemistry with computers.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51I get to talk to a lot of different people across the world.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56I get to travel as well which is fantastic, it's one of my favourite things to do.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02And I get to work in science which is something I've wanted to do since I was 12.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07I became a Special...for something to do that was worthwhile, to spend my spare time
0:15:07 > 0:15:12helping people, learning new things and the Specials just seemed to encompass all of that.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Tonight, Louisa is out with the Roads Policing Unit and she and her colleague have just
0:15:21 > 0:15:25pulled over a car with illegally tinted windows.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30This device just gives an idea of how much light is being transmitted through it.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36In the UK it's illegal to drive with excessively tinted windows at the front of your vehicle,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40because it restricts your view of the road and other road users.
0:15:40 > 0:15:47These side windows need to allow 70% of light through them and the windscreen needs to be 75%.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51This is allowing 19.5% of light through.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56The driver's windows clearly do not meet the legal requirements. But this isn't the only problem.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Have you had anything to drink today?- No, I'm Iranian.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- So you've had nothing alcoholic to drink?- No, I'm Muslim.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Come and have a seat in the car, that's probably the best thing.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09The man claims he doesn't drink because he's from Iran and he's a Muslim.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12But the smell on his breath tells a different story.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17I come across people from all different countries, cultures and religious backgrounds
0:16:17 > 0:16:22working in this job and it is important to respect people for the individuals that they are.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26However, you are subject to UK law when you drive on a UK road
0:16:26 > 0:16:30and it doesn't matter where you're from, you have to have some
0:16:30 > 0:16:33understanding of what the rules and regulations are.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Ian wants to breathalyse the man to find out how much he's drunk.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Take a nice deep breath and blow through that tube.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44If you have a problem about my drinking...
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Listen, let me give you a warning now...
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It was last night...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52It's irrelevant as to when it happened or when you've had your last drink, OK?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54I can smell that you have been drinking.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Stop and do some listening, that means you don't talk.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01The gentleman was being very obstructive, he wouldn't give a straight answer.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06I don't think there was any reason for him to be obstructive, we could have dealt with it
0:17:06 > 0:17:10there and then and for all he knew he could have gone home there and then.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15But refusing to provide a specimen of breath when stopped by the police is an offence.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And Ian and Louisa have no intention of letting the man go.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Will you please just listen, that means don't talk.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- Are you refusing to give me a breath specimen?- Yes.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Right, OK, I have to tell you now at exactly 3:00am in the morning,
0:17:28 > 0:17:33that you are under arrest for failing to provide me with a specimen.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- D'you want him handcuffed, Ian?- Please. Just to the front.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42He's been arrested for failing to provide, he's going be taken back to Parkside and processed.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49It's now 3:30 in the morning and Louisa still has three hours to go before the end of her shift.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54My friends and family and even the regular officers I work with tell me that I'm completely mad
0:17:54 > 0:17:58to spend my spare time working with them, especially for free.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04But all I can say is that I enjoy it so much that it is worth a lot of nights out and I'd rather be
0:18:04 > 0:18:08doing that than getting drunk somewhere in a club in Cambridge.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14The man is transferred to a van and taken to the police station,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17where he is handed over to the custody sergeant.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19< What's the offence, please?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Failing to provide a specimen of breath at the roadside.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I spoke to the driver, I could smell that he'd been drinking,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28I requested a breath specimen...which he refused.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31The man is taken into a side room, where once again he will
0:18:31 > 0:18:34be given the chance to provide a breath sample.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39And Ian calls for an interpreter to make sure the man fully understands what's being said to him.
0:18:39 > 0:18:46If he refuses then it's just a straight fail to provide, straight to court.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51And a fail to provide is seen with the same intensity as drink driving.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Initially the man agrees to give a sample.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57So, it's a yes there, is it?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00But then he changes his mind.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02He doesn't want to blow?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04OK, that's fine. I need him just to sign.
0:19:04 > 0:19:11At 03:55 hours he said yes and then he changed his mind to no at 03:57 hours.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18By refusing the breath test again, the man has committed an offence and he's taken to a cell
0:19:18 > 0:19:21while they prepare the charges.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- E1 please.- Yeah, OK. And then we'll put the charge together.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Yeah, OK, come this way.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32When people fail to provide at the roadside, it's not frustrating to me that they do this purely
0:19:32 > 0:19:38because we do have a prosecution in place for this of fail to provide, which is as strong as
0:19:38 > 0:19:42often driving under the influence of alcohol.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45The man was found guilty of failing to provide a breath test.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49He was fined and disqualified from driving for 26 months.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Specials get involved in all aspects of police work,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04even investigations and undercover operations.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09Today, special constables, Ben Patten and Chris Thurston, are about to go on a plainclothes
0:20:09 > 0:20:13shoplifting patrol in Cambridge city centre.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17We had a list of people who were known for repeat offenders, so we were just basically
0:20:17 > 0:20:20keeping an eye out for those and see what we found.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24And we're in constant contact with all the stores and the shopping centres,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27so we know what's going on and who they're looking at.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33In the past few years, retailers have reported a sharp surge in shoplifting.
0:20:33 > 0:20:40And the police are increasingly using plain clothes officers to catch the offenders red-handed.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Obviously if you're in uniform then it's more of a deterrent because they'll see you from miles away
0:20:45 > 0:20:49and they might think, well better not do that, but then in terms of trying to catch them in the act,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52this is probably a better way of doing it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57Ben joined the Specials two years ago, following a long family tradition in the police force.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03My great granddad was a regular police officer, he was a chief inspector I believe.
0:21:03 > 0:21:09And then my granddad was a dog handler and he was the first dog handler in Cambridgeshire.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14And then my dad was a Special for 20-odd years in Cambridgeshire as well.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17So, yeah, being a Special is definitely in my blood.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25In his day job Ben works for a car manufacturer, delivering spare parts to garages.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29And he also works in the evenings for a local food delivery company.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32But he still manages to find time to be a Special.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37I have a few nights off during the week and I have the weekend days off so I usually can fit it in there,
0:21:37 > 0:21:42or sometimes after the evening job I'll do a night shift if I can finish there early enough.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48I think it's very important, especially this day and age with all the budget cuts and everything,
0:21:48 > 0:21:54any help in the police service is obviously needed and obviously we're there pretty much on call
0:21:54 > 0:21:57if anything major happens.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02Ben's ultimate ambition is to become a regular officer, and he's just found out that he's been accepted,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05much to the delight of his dad.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09When I've related jobs at home when they were much younger at school I think he obviously
0:22:09 > 0:22:12saw the exciting side but he's always wanted to do it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18But now being accepted in the regulars, I'm really, really pleased for him, you know.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Today Ben is out with fellow Special, Chris Thurston.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25When he's not volunteering, Chris works in a supermarket.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28They're on the lookout for shoplifters in Cambridge.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32So far the offenders seem to be keeping a low profile.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35But then Chris suddenly gets a call from the police control room.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yes, we are, what you got for us?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42That's received, on foot.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45We've got a shoplifter being detained in the Grand Arcade,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49so we're just going to have a walk over there and see what's going on.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Most of the shoplifters Ben has dealt with in the past have been young.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58The majority of them you deal with are kind of teens, early 20s.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01So he's surprised to find that this one is over 60.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06He's 67, so what d'you reckon, he's going to say? I didn't realise?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09They arrive at the department store, where they find the offender
0:23:09 > 0:23:13being detained in a back office by security staff.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18They have cameras all over the shop and basically they'd witnessed this man on the camera
0:23:18 > 0:23:23placing items in his bag and then leaving the store without attempting to pay.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26The man has paid for one of the items in his bag, a camera.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30But he's failed to pay for a sheet and a lightbulb worth just under £30.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34And he's claiming it was just an honest mistake.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38The reason he gave for not paying for it was that he was a bit forgetful and he'd forgotten
0:23:38 > 0:23:40he'd put it in his bag.
0:23:40 > 0:23:47He had bought a fairly expensive camera at the same time and it's difficult to say if he was
0:23:47 > 0:23:49being genuine or not.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Given the man's age, and the fact that he seems genuinely remorseful,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Chris and Ben wonder whether there might be more to this case than meets the eye.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Are you on any medication at the moment?
0:24:03 > 0:24:10I'm on thyroxine for the thyroid gland and I have been on stress tablets in the past.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15He's on a fair bit of medication which might have affected his judgement,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19so we'll just kind of assess him, see what his state of mind is at the moment.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Make sure he's OK and whether he's done this on purpose or not.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28But when Chris and Ben dig a little deeper, they begin to get a clearer picture of the man's history.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- Have you been caught doing this before?- I have, yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33You have, when was the last time?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Erm...about four or five years ago.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41It's also not the first time that staff at this store have had dealings with him.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47He was apparently known to the security staff at that store for previously either attempting,
0:24:47 > 0:24:52or actually taking items without paying, but they didn't catch up with him at that time.
0:24:52 > 0:24:58So once you start looking at the evidence that's there and speaking to the other people,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03you kind of build up a picture and it kind of does seem to be more repeat behaviour.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Ben and Chris must now decide how best to proceed.
0:25:06 > 0:25:12The medication the man is taking may have affected his judgement, but he has still committed a crime.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Ben calls his sergeant to get some advice.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20We've got a shoplifter who's got previous for shoplifting, but it was in 2004.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Are we able to issue a PND for that?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Brilliant, thanks a lot, Sarge.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30The sergeant agrees that the best way forward is to issue the man with an on-the-spot fine.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34So, basically it's an £80 fine, you will have 21 days to pay it.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Obviously you're banned from the store.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42But then by dealing with it this way it's done basically, we don't have to arrest you,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45we don't have to take you down to the station, that sort of thing.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51Fining him I think was the best way forward, it would perhaps make him think about doing it again
0:25:51 > 0:25:57and he realizes that now once he has been fined if he does it again and he gets caught it'll be
0:25:57 > 0:26:02an arrest and he'll be taken to the police station and processed that way which obviously is not going to be
0:26:02 > 0:26:04a nice experience for someone.
0:26:05 > 0:26:12I need you to sign there to say that's an £80 fine, which you have 21 days to pay. Just there.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Once he's agreed to pay the fine, the man is free to go and Ben and Chris escort him out of the shop.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It was a tricky situation for the two Specials to deal with,
0:26:22 > 0:26:27but they hope that their actions will deter the man from reoffending in the future.
0:26:28 > 0:26:35You have to be sympathetic and take into account their mental state, it might not be necessarily
0:26:35 > 0:26:40what they were intentionally wanting to do, but you have to be quite cautious in the way
0:26:40 > 0:26:41you deal with it, really.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46But I've always been brought up with a sense of right and wrong, obviously being in a family
0:26:46 > 0:26:50full of police officers you always want to stop the bad guys.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55So any opportunity to go out and either help people or stop people from doing stuff
0:26:55 > 0:26:58they shouldn't be it's always a good opportunity.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd