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 > 0:00:14Oh, he's gone down there!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17..who give their time to fight crime in their communities.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Out! Get out of the car! GET OUT OF THE CAR!
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Specials combine their day jobs....
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Stage, please.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- and home lives... - There's a good boy.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30..with being serving police officers on the front-line.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Coming up:
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Den, incoming...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Missiles start coming in. They're hitting things
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- with a bit of force.- Harvey breaks up trouble on New Year's Eve...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Hands on the car, now.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45James helps officers looking for fuel thieves...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48They can use it themselves, they can sell it on, do all sorts.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Hold your hands out for me.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- I don't like you. - Stop pointing at me!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And Adam has to keep his cool when dealing with a very tricky customer.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- You, mate, are an idiot. - You're being very aggressive.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02You've got to have thick skin as a police officer,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04but there is a level of which you're going to take abuse.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- I've got a £30 fine, I've talked to- BLEEP- for half-an-hour.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22As a Special, there are some nights you know
0:01:22 > 0:01:24are going to be busier than others.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I've got mine.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Tonight is one such occasion - New Year's Eve.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Acting Special Inspector, Harvey Barker
0:01:35 > 0:01:37is getting ready for his shift.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- You've got pad, you've got cuffs. - Thank you.- You've got baton.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41Right. We're done.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44The plan for tonight is public order patrols around pubs and clubs.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47We're very short of officers tonight, New Year's Eve,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49the wheels are going to fall off at some point.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Cambridgeshire Police deal with around 350 incidents
0:01:54 > 0:01:58on a night like this, four times more than usual...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Who the hell is setting off fireworks?
0:02:01 > 0:02:03This is fine. I think we may be on.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07..so volunteers like Harvey prove invaluable to the force.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Is she all right? All right, fair enough.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11Thank you. Happy New Year to you.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14New Year's Eve's a good night for Specials, we're really well used.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18We boost the numbers, we can double the size of a shift going out.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Although many people would choose to be out partying tonight,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Harvey is happy to give his time for his local force.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26They need people to do this kind of thing,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30if everyone stayed at home and didn't put themselves
0:02:30 > 0:02:31in the line, then who would?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36At half past nine a call comes in,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38reporting trouble in Soham town centre.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43We've got a call that there's five plus groups of youths,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46smashing stuff up, in Soham High Street.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50So, we're going to have a look and see what's going on down there.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53The police have had problems with drunk young people
0:02:53 > 0:02:57causing trouble in this area before and regular officer, Den Williams,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00advises the Specials on the plan of action for tonight.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I want us to be really robust, really positive.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Any youth may be involved,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09drinking alcohol, we'll take them home if we have to.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14We went there to have a good look around, see what we could find,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16and then spotted a large group of youths,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19some with bottles in hands, going down a side road.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Hello.- Shall I get out and have a chat?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- Don't run, there's good boys. - COME HERE!
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- That's all of you.- Do you understand 'Come here'? Stand still!
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Oi!- Come over here. Do we all speak English?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- ALL: Yes.- What does 'Come here' mean?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Simple instructions by a police officer,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- you do what they say. Is that clear? - Yeah, sorry.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46The youths the officers have pulled over
0:03:46 > 0:03:48aren't behaving anti-socially, but they are carrying
0:03:48 > 0:03:51a large quantity of alcohol.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53The first impressions of the group were...
0:03:53 > 0:03:56"They look a bit young," and they're carrying bottles
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and have backpacks and they're obviously drinking,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01so, you're thinking "Yeah, there's quite a bit of booze here."
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Got ID on you? Brilliant. Thank you.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06You're 17. Got any alcohol on you?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- Yeah.- Thank you. Give it over.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- No, I'm 17.- Come here. I want the rest of it, I ain't that stupid.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Sorry, if I seem a bit cross with ya,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17but we've reports of youngsters causing problems in Soham already.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- Really?- The officers decide to confiscate the booze from the boys.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Some of them were under age, some were over 18,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27and we knew that the guys who were over 18
0:04:27 > 0:04:29were going to just pass drink to the guys who were underage.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32At that point, and because of the problems we have had in that area
0:04:32 > 0:04:36before for drinking, we know, nip this in the bud,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38deal with it robustly, get the alcohol off the streets,
0:04:38 > 0:04:39take it off of them.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41We'll take your details and your parents,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- when you get your letter home, can come and get it if they want it.- OK.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I didn't realise they would be drinking.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Officers issue a fixed penalty notice to an 18-year-old
0:04:53 > 0:04:55for supplying alcohol to his underage friends.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58One of the guys, who was over 18 in the group,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01had actually bought most of the alcohol and was quite happy
0:05:01 > 0:05:05to pass it amongst his friends, even though he knew some of them were under 18.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- Should you be supplying alcohol to minors?- No.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Because of that, I'll seize your alcohol
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- in fear that you may supply them. - Yeah.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16The amount of alcohol here is too much for teenagers to be drinking.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17300 ml.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I was incredibly surprised by the amount of alcohol they had on them.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I really didn't think they could carry that much.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I think we counted over 40 different items,
0:05:25 > 0:05:30including bottles, cans and really, really large containers of alcohol.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Sorry, we're taking the alcohol away.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I understand the guys didn't mean harm, they just wanted a quiet drink.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38And they were good lads at heart, but ultimately,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I think they accepted they'd done wrong.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Harvey juggles volunteering for the police
0:05:44 > 0:05:47with the demands of a full-time job.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Well, I work in IT, part of a small team,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and I'm the front-line support, could be, just dealing with...
0:05:52 > 0:05:55someone just had a broken keyboard or printer,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57it could be a really, really, panicky customer,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01someone who's got a problem with a virus or something like that.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Needs resolving straightaway, so, yeah,
0:06:04 > 0:06:05you deal with a little bit of pressure,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07but not as much as the policing.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09And Harvey sees strong people skills
0:06:09 > 0:06:12as an essential part of his work as a Special.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I love helping people, customer service,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18which translates to the policing, so I do like that.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I love helping people. When you turn up to someone's door.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23The look of gratitude on their face, you can't beat it.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26It's better than a pay cheque, I think.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Back on shift on New Year's Eve, and at 2.40 in the morning,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Harvey and the team receive another call
0:06:31 > 0:06:33requesting immediate assistance.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37There's some people trying to gate-crash a party in Ely,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39so we're en route now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43With alcohol involved, it's going to get rowdy.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Do you want to give us the update?
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Officers head straight there, but while en route,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51they receive another call.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Just getting news in now, that it's escalating
0:06:54 > 0:06:57and that they've been turned away from the door,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00and now they're actually trying to break in.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- So it's getting worse. Four short shields.- Short shields.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08As we were making our way, we then get a second call
0:07:08 > 0:07:11to say it's escalated and they're now using aggression,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15they're now breaking windows, that's when you just have to get there,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17it doesn't matter what you do, you have to get there,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19you have to deal with it.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22It's helping people, you know there are people there
0:07:22 > 0:07:24who've called you for a reason, they're scared,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and they want the boys in blue to turn up.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34The officers arrive at the scene and go to question the partygoers.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36The front windows are smashed in.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40They said there'd been some youths trying to gate-crash the party,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43and they'd been quite aggressive,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I noticed at that point one of the windows was broken.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49'On a whim, I then turned round and started moving away from the party,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52'thinking, "What if they are still around and we haven't noticed them?"'
0:07:52 > 0:07:55What we've got is some youths trying to get into the property
0:07:55 > 0:07:57to attend the party...
0:07:57 > 0:07:58THUDS AGAINST POLICE VAN
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Den! Incoming!
0:08:01 > 0:08:03'When we get to the van and missiles start coming in
0:08:03 > 0:08:06'and they're hitting things with quite a bit of force,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08'shields are the order of the day.'
0:08:08 > 0:08:09Safety,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12preserve life, that's what we're doing.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Harvey and the team look for whoever's throwing the missiles
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and who has caused the damage at the party.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24The adrenaline does kick in and there's the whole
0:08:24 > 0:08:28'fight or flight' instinct comes in, but the training helps.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30You just want to find the people that are doing it
0:08:30 > 0:08:33because they've hurt people or they're intimidating people,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36they're making people afraid. That's why we're there, to stop that.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43We were advancing and then we saw a group of males...
0:08:45 > 0:08:46..and we think, "Game on."
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Take your hands out of your pockets for me, please.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Right. All four of you, hands on top of that car there.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Hands on the car, hands on the car.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- HANDS ON THE CAR NOW! Hands on the car.- What are you pushing me for?
0:09:02 > 0:09:04'The guys did appear intoxicated
0:09:04 > 0:09:08'and had had quite a bit to drink, but that's not uncommon.'
0:09:08 > 0:09:10The officers put the men in handcuffs,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13while they wait for a police van to take them to custody.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16All four of you... get this one cuffed as well...
0:09:16 > 0:09:18All of you are under arrest on suspicion of criminal damage.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Criminal damage? What?
0:09:20 > 0:09:23The reason for your arrest is for a prompt, effective investigation,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- so we can do bits and bobs. - Yeah.- All right,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29we've got statements to obtain. You four have been named.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30- Named?- Named.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33'We had sufficient cause, at that moment in time, to arrest them.'
0:09:33 > 0:09:36They were named by people at the party
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and one of the guy's names matched,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41so we think, "These are the guys we're after."
0:09:41 > 0:09:45The four men arrested on suspicion of criminal damage
0:09:45 > 0:09:48were taken to custody and were ultimately released
0:09:48 > 0:09:50with no further action.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52We got a lot done, we achieved a lot,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54with very little resources, yeah, it was good.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57A real sense of achievement coming away from that.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00It's now 3 o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day
0:10:00 > 0:10:02and Harvey feels he's done all he can tonight
0:10:02 > 0:10:05to help his local community and a make a difference.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Something like that, seeing that scene,
0:10:07 > 0:10:13seeing people anxious, worried, nervous, afraid, basically.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16You are there to help these people. That's one of the reasons I became a Special.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Specials are unpaid volunteers who work alone or alongside
0:10:32 > 0:10:36the regular police to fight crime in their communities.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Have you got all of them? - Don't want to see you walking on the main road again.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Come on. - Recovery's obviously en route.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Specials are not police community support officers.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47They are fully-fledged members of the police force who have the
0:10:47 > 0:10:50same powers in law as their paid colleagues,
0:10:50 > 0:10:51including the power of arrest.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- Stop it.- Move over.- No, no, no! - Move out of the way.- No.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Within many Special Constabularies, officers can rise through the ranks
0:11:01 > 0:11:06from constable all the way to Chief Specials Officer.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07Ouch, I've found a thorn.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Let me remind you you are under arrest and anything you say will be written down.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Specials work 16 hours a month or more as volunteers,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and undertake all kinds of duties...
0:11:16 > 0:11:17COCKEREL CROWS
0:11:17 > 0:11:20..from policing community events to arresting hardened criminals.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Right, oh, they've put the heating on for us.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33And one such dedicated Special is 27-year-old James Chatfield.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35It's a very modern design.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37For my day job, I'm an estate agent
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and I've doing that for around ten years now.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42That sort of stuff can be relocated.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44It takes quite a lot of commitment, it's long hours.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46It's working weekends, late evenings.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49It's a job you've got to really enjoy to do it,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51a bit like being a Special Constable.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56Lovely. Cheers, thank you. A nice cold drink for a nice cold night, eh?
0:11:56 > 0:11:59James devotes around 60 hours a month to volunteering for the police
0:11:59 > 0:12:02but he still makes time for his friends and family.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03There we go.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05'I manage to balance everything I do in my work life,
0:12:05 > 0:12:06'my social life quite well.'
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14I don't get much time but that must be because I enjoy it so much.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15What is he now, CID?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Yeah, he's the crime manager.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21James's dad Andrew was a regular police officer in Cambridgeshire
0:12:21 > 0:12:24and is pleased that his son is continuing the family tradition
0:12:24 > 0:12:26of service to the community.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28It's not just a career, it's a calling
0:12:28 > 0:12:32and from my perspective I still miss the job, so he's carrying that on
0:12:32 > 0:12:36probably in... You know, for me, makes me extremely proud,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and I'm really pleased that we're still there with that policing.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53The county of Cambridgeshire covers around 1,300 square miles.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56And as a Special based in a rural area of the county,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00James sometimes patrols a huge area while on shift.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02The area where I'm based is the Fenland area.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06It is rural, it is really spread out, an absolutely massive area.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I've done shifts before where I've worked a late shift or a night shift
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and we've done 250 to 300 miles in a shift.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Policing these rural areas can bring real challenges for James
0:13:20 > 0:13:22and his regular colleagues.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25People that live in rural areas can be targeted.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28You see somewhere out in the middle of nowhere
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and you think, "That's a prime target for a burglary."
0:13:31 > 0:13:35We do see more of those types of crimes in the really rural areas.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40SIREN WAILS
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Tonight James is on shift with PC Matt Smart and just before midnight
0:13:44 > 0:13:48a call comes over the radio requesting assistance.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51There's an officer just called up to say that she's got three prisoners...
0:13:53 > 0:13:54..out in this remote area.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57They've asked for a van, there's no van available,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59so we'll go off and offer some initial support.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02'The call that came through was that two officers
0:14:02 > 0:14:04'had stopped a vehicle down a rural farm track...'
0:14:07 > 0:14:08..and they had these three males detained.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14If something was to kick off - two officers against three of them -
0:14:14 > 0:14:16it's not a great situation to be in.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18James and Matt arrive on scene
0:14:18 > 0:14:21to find that other officers have pulled over a silver car
0:14:21 > 0:14:23and are in the process of searching it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26When I turned up to the scene there was a vehicle down
0:14:26 > 0:14:30a single track leading down to a farm and there was the three males
0:14:30 > 0:14:34sat inside the car and it was full of empty diesel drums.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37The officers who requested back up from James and Matt
0:14:37 > 0:14:40pulled the car over because it was seen acting suspiciously.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Basically we're on patrols tonight looking for people responsible
0:14:44 > 0:14:46for a series of diesel thefts in the area.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48My colleague spotted this car,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51the silver one coming up one of the drives...
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Spied it in the mirror going one way...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56As we've gone up, it's spun round and come back
0:14:56 > 0:14:57and we have caught it coming down here.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Pulled over and obviously we've opened up the car
0:15:00 > 0:15:01and it's full of these drums
0:15:01 > 0:15:04which are commonly used for putting diesel in.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05I've counted, I think,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09almost 20 five-gallon drums in the back of the car,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11so there's a substantial amount of fuel
0:15:11 > 0:15:13that could potentially go missing.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18The containers found in the car could carry over £500 worth of fuel.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Basically they'll siphon the fuel out into all of the containers
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and make off with it, and to be perfectly honest,
0:15:23 > 0:15:28it would be pretty difficult to catch them after the act has actually happened.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31It was an absolutely fantastic stop by the regular officers.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Pulled out and gone up here...
0:15:33 > 0:15:36In rural areas there has been no end of diesel thefts.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The price of diesel, I think, is the main reason they go for it
0:15:40 > 0:15:41and they can sell it on.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44They can use it themselves, they can sell it on, they can do all sorts.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Thefts from agricultural businesses alone costs farmers
0:15:47 > 0:15:50over £50 million a year
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and robberies involving diesel in particular are on the rise.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Diesel thefts can impact on all sorts of people.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Farmers or ordinary members of the public that have had
0:16:00 > 0:16:01their petrol tank drilled.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05The cost of the damage that they're causing trying to get it as well
0:16:05 > 0:16:10is unreal and ultimately, it's the victims that have to pay for it all.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Get the driver in your car so we can split them up.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- When they're talking we can't do much about it...- Right.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Want to step out for me?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Now just hold your hands up for me.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Officers decide to separate the suspects and put them in different
0:16:22 > 0:16:26vehicles while they wait for the van to come and take them to custody.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27No, fine, I'll do that.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31'It was important to separate the suspects as soon as possible...'
0:16:31 > 0:16:33That's it. Put your hand in there for me.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38With them talking in their own language and us not being able to understand it,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41they could have been concocting some sort of story,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44so when they go to interview they've have a get-out clause.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46If you'd like to come and take a seat in the back of our car, please.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The men will need to give an account of their movements in interview
0:16:49 > 0:16:53and explain the large amount of plastic containers found in the car.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57The three males were arrested for going equipped to steal diesel.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59'When the car was searched the evidence suggested that
0:16:59 > 0:17:01'that is exactly what they were going to do.'
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Mind your head.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08He's absolutely devastated.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I'm not sure they have realised exactly what's happening.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Their English isn't that good.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15I think as soon as he saw the cuffs come out, I think he's realised.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20He's now sat in the back of our vehicle with his head pretty much in his lap.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23So I think now it's become a bit of a reality.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29The van arrives ready to take the suspects to custody.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32All right to stick this one in the back of your van, is that all right?
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Want to go with these gentlemen in their van?
0:17:33 > 0:17:37We would have liked to have caught them siphoning some fuel out, but unfortunately,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39that's not the case this evening,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41but, yeah, I'll take this any day of the week, definitely.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42Do you want to step out?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44James is proud of his work as a Special
0:17:44 > 0:17:47and his role in tonight's arrests.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49You smell lovely of diesel, yummy.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Working the countryside shifts and knowing what goes on,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I think that I can certainly do my bit to helping those people
0:17:56 > 0:17:59that are at risk because of the areas where they live.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05The driver was charged with motoring offences
0:18:05 > 0:18:08but no further action was taken against the suspects
0:18:08 > 0:18:11in relation to the charge of going equipped to steal.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Cambridge.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26A beautiful English city full of historic buildings,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29it's been a centre of learning since the 13th century.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33But this academic heritage causes a modern day problem
0:18:33 > 0:18:37for the police and Specials like Adam Barnwell.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42Cambridge is primarily a student city, it's built out of colleges.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45You have academics and students on bikes,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47everyday thousands of them,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and a lot of them don't have lights
0:18:49 > 0:18:52so it's a big, big problem for us in Cambridge.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Around 19,000 cyclists are killed or injured each year in the UK.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Cambridgeshire constabulary do what they can to tackle this
0:19:00 > 0:19:03shocking statistic with help from the Specials.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Hi, mate, can you jump on the path for me?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- You're on about me lights?- Yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Tonight Adam and fellow Special Constable Roger Thornton
0:19:11 > 0:19:14are out doing their bit to solve the problem of cyclists without lights.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Tomorrow morning I'm going to get another set of lights....
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- You'll get another set?- Yeah.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20But you could have been hit tonight and that would have been it.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23This police operation isn't just about punishing people
0:19:23 > 0:19:24who are breaking the law.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30'We're running an operation to do with bike lights, any biking offences.'
0:19:30 > 0:19:34And it was all for their safety and the safety of other road users.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38The problem with missing a front light is you're always coming alongside vehicles,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39especially at roundabouts.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43They can't see you in their wing mirror because you don't have a front light...
0:19:43 > 0:19:45'It's just so dangerous to not have lights.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:48You could potentially die if you don't have lights on your bike,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51especially in Cambridge with the amount of cyclists
0:19:51 > 0:19:53and the traffic we have going through.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56When he's not out trying to improve the safety of cyclists,
0:19:56 > 0:19:5926-year-old Adam has a very different life.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I'm a website developer at a games studio in Cambridge
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and what that consists of is me building websites
0:20:05 > 0:20:08for distribution on the internet
0:20:08 > 0:20:10and it is what I've been doing since university,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14since I was, well, 16, back in school, actually.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17At the moment I'm trying to fix a bug whereby on the high scores
0:20:17 > 0:20:19some players see their names...
0:20:19 > 0:20:23They are slightly askew to where they are supposed to be on the design.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Adam combines the demands of his full-time job with volunteering
0:20:29 > 0:20:33as a Special and finding time for his girlfriend Katie.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39I work between about 30 and 50 hours a month doing Specialing.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Katie, my girlfriend, is very understanding.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45We have had a few arguments in the past about the time I'm putting in
0:20:45 > 0:20:48and she does have to rein me in. I just get carried away sometimes.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- So when's your next shift?- I dunno, I'm thinking next weekend, but...
0:20:53 > 0:20:55I'm not sure if you've got anything on.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57'I think when he started doing the police
0:20:57 > 0:21:01'it was sort of a bit difficult trying to find the right balance.'
0:21:01 > 0:21:05But we generally worked out a good routine of when he might go out.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08So if he was going to go out on a Friday night,
0:21:08 > 0:21:09I'd arrange my girls' night out
0:21:09 > 0:21:12and we both see our families when we can
0:21:12 > 0:21:15and it's actually started to become quite a nice, healthy balance
0:21:15 > 0:21:18between our lives and him doing his police.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I'm going to have to give you a ticket, I'm afraid, however...
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Back on the streets of Cambridge
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and Adam is still dealing with cyclists without lights.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31If you get lights within the next seven days you don't have to pay the ticket.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32Can you stop?
0:21:32 > 0:21:36His colleague Roger has just spotted another offending cyclist.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Park your bike up over there.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- You haven't got any lights.- No.- No.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Well, I can't walk home to Histon just cos somebody stole my lights.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Well, you can't ride the bike with no lights. That's against the law.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50So, it's going to be a £30 fine. OK?
0:21:50 > 0:21:54You expect me to walk home from town to Histon cos somebody stole my lights?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56You want to report that as a crime?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58I'm not going to waste my own personal time
0:21:58 > 0:22:01so you bureaucrats can write it down and make everything seem legit,
0:22:01 > 0:22:02well, it's still been stolen.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- Right.- Cos I haven't reported it doesn't mean it hasn't happened.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07This entire thing is null, isn't it?
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- You are riding illegally on a bike with no lights.- No.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- So where are your lights? - Can you find me, honestly, yeah,
0:22:13 > 0:22:18written a clause in the law that says it is ILLEGAL, against the law,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20to ride with no lights?
0:22:21 > 0:22:25"Other motoring offences. Pedal cycle - no specified obligatory lamps."
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- And what is this? This is a Home Office group offence.- Yes.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31This is not an English common law.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Roger is an electronic engineer by day
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and has been a Special for less than a year.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38With the man becoming argumentative,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Adam goes to help his colleague deal with the situation.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43What's the issue?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46The male that we confronted was busy having a debate with Roger
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and Roger was busy telling him it wasn't a debate,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50"You're getting a ticket."
0:22:50 > 0:22:51So I thought I'd step in.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54It was trying to get some presence, show him we're not backing down
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and you're going to have to deal with it.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This is going to start getting rather unpleasant for you.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- What, cos I went like that? - Yeah, you can't...
0:23:01 > 0:23:03I'm taking your fine and I'm going to leave, all right?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06But I don't want in any way to be associated with you two
0:23:06 > 0:23:08and I don't like you and I don't agree with you.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Stop pointing at me.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Despite two Specials now dealing with the cyclist,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13he is getting increasingly agitated.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- I think you, mate, are an idiot... - You are being very aggressive.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Honestly, mate, from the first moment I got here I've been polite,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I've been coherent and I've been intelligent in my discussion...
0:23:22 > 0:23:23You just called me an idiot.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26In my view you're an idiot, you're not very intelligent, mate.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Right, can I see some ID?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30The Specials are keeping their cool
0:23:30 > 0:23:32despite being verbally abused by the man.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35'It is very common for people to get frustrated
0:23:35 > 0:23:38'when they're pulled over for these minor offences.'
0:23:38 > 0:23:40They forget that the police do other jobs too,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44they don't just approach criminals and arrest people, they try and keep people safe.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46They'll lock me up next.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- No, you'll get hit and go to hospital.- By who?
0:23:48 > 0:23:50By a car.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52'He seemed to think he knew the law better than we did.'
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The male didn't seem to understand that it was for his safety.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58If I wanted to take the hard way I'd shout and bawl and get arrested, but I'm not.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- OK.- I'm just telling you that you're both fools
0:24:01 > 0:24:03and that you're going to get my details in the end,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06so just wait your pleasant time, you've wasted mine, I'll waste yours.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09But Roger's trying to tell the man that there is a way for him
0:24:09 > 0:24:11not to pay the fine.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13..So I can pay your £30 fine for...
0:24:13 > 0:24:17You don't have to pay it. If you want to and you'd given me the chance to talk about it...
0:24:17 > 0:24:19No, I don't want to, but it's either that or go to court,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21which I even less likely want to.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25So at the end of the day it's like putting someone between a rock and a hard place and saying...
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- I'm telling you now... - "..Oh, you don't want to do this one, so do this, it's fine."
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'Roger was also trying describe to him there is an option
0:24:31 > 0:24:33'for him to get lights and have the ticket quashed.'
0:24:33 > 0:24:34But he didn't want to listen to that.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I'm going to have one last go at expressing this scheme to you.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39You don't like my opinion, I don't like yours, mate.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41No, there's a scheme going on at the moment.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- What, get bike lights? I had one till some- BLEEP- stole it!
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Can you not understand that somebody stole my light?
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Sir, stop swearing. The next time you swear you will be arrested under section 5 of the Public Order Act.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Section 5 doesn't exist in English common law, thank you very much.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56The Specials are displaying immense patience with the man,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00but if the situation escalates they can take further action.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02'You've got to have a thick skin as a police officer.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05'You are going to get called names, you're going to get sworn at.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10'But there's a certain level at which you're going to take abuse.'
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It was getting very close to arresting this male.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17He'd sworn on a number of occasions even after he was warned not to.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- The whole point is I'm trying to tell you this.- I'm not shouting...
0:25:20 > 0:25:22If you got and buy some more lights...
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Let me tell you about my bad day to make me feel better.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27My lights have been stolen, I'm walking home, I've got a £30 fine.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29- I've talked to two- BLEEP - for half an hour.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30Sir, you've got to stop swearing.
0:25:30 > 0:25:31'It was fairly frustrating'
0:25:31 > 0:25:33that he just didn't want to listen.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35He didn't want to listen to what we had to say,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38everything we said just bounced straight back off.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40After 15 minutes of being talked over,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Roger finally gets a chance to make his point.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46If you go and buy some more lights, OK, yeah,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and take them to the police station,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50we will tear this ticket up.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51If you do that in seven days.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53That's what I was trying to get across to you
0:25:53 > 0:25:55when you first started being extremely rude to me.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Well you could have stopped me in my tracks with that line.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00It's been very hard to. You've been very talkative.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03You could have stopped me in my tracks with that line from the first second...
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- I tried, I've tried!- You could have said it over me.- I've really tried.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- I've tried talking over you, you've been rude to me.- Not with that line.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12A frustrating encounter I'd have to say.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16But, he accepted the ticket, at the end of the day.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19As it's a ticket I do have to caution you, but you're not under arrest.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21You have to caution me?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence
0:26:23 > 0:26:26if you do not mention now something you later reply upon in court.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Anything you do say will be given in evidence. Do you understand?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- Jesus Christ!- Do you understand? - Yes, I understand.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Excellent. Have a good night.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37The Specials have successfully resolved the situation
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and avoided it escalating.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's dealing with scenarios like this
0:26:42 > 0:26:45that helps Adam develop as a Special.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47'I've improved upon a lot of my skills.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50'People skills, conflict management skills,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53'and also helping the community which is the main reason I joined.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54'I get a lot out of being a Special.'
0:26:54 > 0:26:58I believe I can make a real difference to people's lives doing this job.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd