0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the most famous shopping street in the world
0:00:04 > 0:00:06in the heart of Britain's capital city.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11A mile and a half long, with 30-million visitors each year,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15with some of the world's most famous shops,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19biggest stars and busiest stations.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Sorry, guys, stand back for me!
0:00:21 > 0:00:25What does it take to keep it running 24 hours a day...
0:00:25 > 0:00:28It's the busiest street in the world. It needs constant attention.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- ..seven days a week?- Oi! Clear off!
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Welcome to Oxford Street.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Welcome to the pick-pocketing.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Are you ready, London?!
0:00:35 > 0:00:38A street that never sleeps.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40This sort of thing wouldn't happen anywhere else.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Oxford Street.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- Today on Oxford Street... - Oi! Clear off!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..rogue rickshaw drivers. The police crack down.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55You're not getting any more money out of them, my friend.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Not at that price, you're not. Keep going.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58There's a grand opening
0:00:58 > 0:01:00for the latest shopping brand trying to make its mark.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02CHEERING
0:01:02 > 0:01:05It's the ultimate step onto Oxford Street.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Police paramedics take drastic action
0:01:07 > 0:01:09to help a badly-injured shopper.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Stop! Stop!
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And keeping Oxford Street's sewers flowing.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- Right, are you ready?- Yeah.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Yeah, that's it.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24London is the most visited city in the world,
0:01:24 > 0:01:29with nearly 20 million people taking in its sights and sounds every year.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32And the vast majority of them
0:01:32 > 0:01:36take the time to visit the city's premier shopping destination.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39But this burgeoning scene has created
0:01:39 > 0:01:41an opening for opportunists,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and the police's latest concern is rogue rickshaw drivers.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Keep your music down.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The big stores complain that some of these unlicensed vehicles
0:01:51 > 0:01:55block off the street and play music at antisocial levels.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Tonight the police are taking action.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Oxford Street police officer Andy Pescott
0:02:02 > 0:02:05is out with Westminster Council noise officers
0:02:05 > 0:02:08looking for any rickshaws breaking the rules.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10And Andy's found a case straightaway.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14Pull over.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Pull over, my friend.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22OK. Just step off and speak to the council here.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36The man will be issued with a court summons
0:02:36 > 0:02:38under the noise abatement powers.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Being Oxford Street, this type of behaviour is not to be tolerated.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46In other areas, it wouldn't be dealt with so robustly
0:02:46 > 0:02:50but, obviously, Oxford Street is a prime tourist location for shopping.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52So we've got to deal with it robustly.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Many of the area's most famous stores have complained
0:02:55 > 0:02:58that riders block lanes outside their premises.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And, just off Oxford Street, Andy's got two offenders.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05They're actually parked up in the bus lane, double yellow lines.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07The buses are having to come round them
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and then come in sharp to the bus stop beyond.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Andy thinks he's seen these two rickshaws parked up in a bus lane
0:03:16 > 0:03:20before approaching potential customers on the side of the road.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21It's a strict no-no.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Buddy? Over here.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Here. Identification?
0:03:27 > 0:03:29But I use this stop with my customers.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31I watched you, OK?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The driver is arguing that he wasn't parked up,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37but was hailed by the people on the side of the road.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41But Andy saw him parked up and is having none of his tall tales.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44You!
0:03:44 > 0:03:49And a few yards away, another rider has done exactly the same thing.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50Buddy?
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Park it up here, behind this one.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Off the rickshaw, join me.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02With his rickshaw parked, this chap, too, has a tale to tell.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I am on a booking.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06They are my customers and I was waiting just for them.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09- You were on a booking?- Yeah.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- What do you mean, you were on a booking?- Sorry?
0:04:13 > 0:04:16The rickshaw driver's claiming that a Spanish family saw him
0:04:16 > 0:04:17earlier and booked him to come
0:04:17 > 0:04:20and pick them up here at an appointed time.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Do any of them speak English?
0:04:30 > 0:04:34But Andy thinks he's making excuses to cover up for the fact
0:04:34 > 0:04:36he was parked where he's not allowed to be.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41Can you tell me if you booked these rickshaws earlier.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48What, now? Be quiet.
0:04:48 > 0:04:54Just now? You walk over to him now and say, "Rickshaw?" Yes?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Yes.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00Not over there, not over there, but here, yes?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Like, two minutes ago.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It's proving tricky for Andy,
0:05:08 > 0:05:13but he has an ace up his sleeve in the shape of a Spanish-speaking PC.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15HE SPEAKS SPANISH
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- No.- Right, you're lying. Over here.- Sorry?- Gracias.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34It's as Andy thought - the men were parked up,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37despite all the yellow lines and bus lanes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I will send the paperwork off.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42They'll be taken to court and may receive fines.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47But these rogues are just the tip of the iceberg.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Later, could this be the most expensive taxi ride ever?
0:05:51 > 0:05:54£5.00 per minute, per person?
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Yeah.- Wow.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09As well as being a must-visit location for foreign visitors,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Oxford Street is a major destination
0:06:12 > 0:06:16for foreign brands hoping to break into the lucrative UK market.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18And today is no exception.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Behind these hoardings, builders are hard at work putting
0:06:25 > 0:06:28the finishing touches to the street's newest edition.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32In a week's time, Danish knick-knack chain Tiger
0:06:32 > 0:06:35will be opening its flagship UK store here.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Many new stores open on the street but, with rents at a premium at such
0:06:42 > 0:06:46a key location, if they don't make a big return they won't last long.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Making a profit is everything.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Tasked with getting the shop ready for that challenge
0:06:53 > 0:06:56is opening manager Ian Longmore.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Every store has been a step towards this.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Last year, we opened one at Tottenham Court Road,
0:07:01 > 0:07:02which was a big step for us,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06and now it's the ultimate step onto Oxford Street, so we've arrived.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08OK, guys, you ready?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Over the last month, he's been making sure both the shop
0:07:12 > 0:07:14and staff are ready for the big day.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17All the pallets you see here, we've got 15 pallets,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19it must be finished by two o'clock.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Many of the newly-recruited staff
0:07:21 > 0:07:23are members of the long-term unemployed
0:07:23 > 0:07:25who Tiger has especially recruited
0:07:25 > 0:07:27from local Jobcentres via a training programme.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Leandro Dantas is typical.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Before Tiger, he'd been out of work for some time.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37For the past year I've been unemployed and, um...
0:07:37 > 0:07:40it has kind of knocked my self-esteem.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44You know, I don't want to be in the Jobcentre no more.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Nikki has had other reasons for being out of the job market.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57I used to be a singer. I was on Elton John's record label for a while.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01And then I became a mum and I've been sort of behind the kitchen sink
0:08:01 > 0:08:03for the last few years, and that's not me at all.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06For Leandro, Nikki and the others,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Friday's unveiling represents more than just a shop opening.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12It's a whole new start for them.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16We've got camping and then travel, but it's what links them more.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19For Tiger itself, it's a multimillion-pound investment
0:08:19 > 0:08:20which has to pay off.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25The opening day is crucial to get them off to the right start.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33It's the big day and final preparations are under way
0:08:33 > 0:08:36before the doors open to the public at 11.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Everything's looking beautiful.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40All the staff are here and happy.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43In a week's time or two weeks' time, they'll be flying around
0:08:43 > 0:08:46putting it all out. They won't need us any more.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48If I'd been allowed a glass of wine
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I probably would've had one to settle the nerves
0:08:51 > 0:08:52but, no, I'll be fine.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55To open, the store, senior company executives,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58including Tiger founder Lennart Lajboschitz,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00have travelled over from Denmark.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Opening a store on Oxford Street is a milestone for us
0:09:05 > 0:09:10because it is the most important street in Europe.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I think there are so many people coming to London,
0:09:12 > 0:09:15for them to see our store is so important.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It makes a brand come true.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22And, at 11 on the dot, it's the moment they've all been waiting for.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Right, ready?- Ten, nine,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28eight, seven, six, five,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30four, three,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32two, one, open!
0:09:32 > 0:09:34CHEERING
0:09:36 > 0:09:39For Ian, it's the culmination of months of hard work.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42This is where we hand over to Bilel now, the store director.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- He's running it from now on. - Oh, it's too heavy(!)
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Within moments of opening
0:09:47 > 0:09:50the store's filling up with eager shoppers.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53The store's full of knick-knacks and stuff you don't really need,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55but they're so bright and eye-catching,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58you have to buy them cos they're cheap.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00You come in, you're not expecting anything
0:10:00 > 0:10:02and then all of a sudden you're getting everything.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06For Nikki and Leandro, there's no time to acclimatise.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08They're both straight into action.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Perfect! £12, please, darling.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Brilliant.- Thank you. Thanks.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15It's a solid start for the store,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19but if they're to hit their targets they'll need to keep the sales up.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Later, we'll see Tiger pull out all the stops
0:10:22 > 0:10:24to try to get the customers in.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Guys, the bus is going!
0:10:35 > 0:10:36To keep London working
0:10:36 > 0:10:39the capital's Underground network is vital.
0:10:41 > 0:10:441.3 billion journeys are made on it every year
0:10:44 > 0:10:46and over four million every day.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Anything which causes a disruption to it
0:10:50 > 0:10:54can have a massive knock-on effect far beyond its tunnels and trains.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Which is why British Transport Police
0:11:00 > 0:11:04and London Underground have set up the Network Incident Response team.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Their job is to deal with any incident in Central London
0:11:07 > 0:11:09which might disrupt the network.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12And they've just taken a call about an accident involving
0:11:12 > 0:11:16an Oxford Street shopper which threatens to do exactly that.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19For the benefit of the medics, what's her current condition?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Right, OK.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Bye.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26A lady that fell on the escalator, she's had an operation on her back,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29a previous operation, and is still stuck on the escalator.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31SIRENS WAIL
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Although an ambulance was called,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38none has yet been able to make it to the scene
0:11:38 > 0:11:40and the escalator is still out of action,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42causing disruption to passengers.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46RADIO: "She may possibly have a broken collarbone.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49"She's in extreme pain and she'll deteriorate
0:11:49 > 0:11:51"if we don't move her fairly sharpish."
0:11:52 > 0:11:55With the lady shopper having existing medical conditions,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58the team are immediately concerned.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Yes, please.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The team are set up to deal with medical emergencies...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Move to the side, move to the side, move to the side!
0:12:07 > 0:12:10..and both police officers, Sharon Turner and Andy Baker,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12are trained medics.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15They head down to the escalator where the woman fell.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Hiya.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Broken collarbone.- She's been like this for an hour?- Yeah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23She needs a body board to come off here.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Yeah, she needs a spinal board. Fracture of the collarbone.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- Are we worried about the spine? - Yeah.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Andy, just to let you know I'm currently on scene now.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Medics are just having a little review of what the situation is.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I'll update you in a minute.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Hello, my love. I'm a police medic.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42We're going to get you some help as quickly as possible, OK?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46The woman, Carmen Dolan, is being attended by staff.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48But it's clear she's in a huge amount of pain.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52The situation is worsened by the fact she's lying at 45 degrees
0:12:52 > 0:12:56on an uncomfortable escalator and she's gradually slipping down it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01No, you're not going to fall down.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Sharon would like to move her but, with the injuries
0:13:04 > 0:13:08she has sustained, it's not going to be easy.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12What's the pain, out of ten? Ten being the worst.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- Nine.- It's a nine. OK.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Carmen, do you take any medication for anything?
0:13:17 > 0:13:19What do you take medication for, my love?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24OK, you suffer from back pain?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Sharon puts a neck brace on Carmen.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- I'm just going to...- Argh!
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I'm just going to try and... Try and relax, my love, OK?
0:13:37 > 0:13:39INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER
0:13:40 > 0:13:43OK, good. All right. OK, my love.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46They've got a collar on the lady in question.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50They're not comfortable about moving her with the equipment we've got.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53They're going to need one of those stiff body boards.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Do you remember falling?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I did. I felt dizzy and...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- You felt dizzy and then fell?- Yeah.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02My friend said it's about 12 steps.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- OK, you fell down 12 steps. - Yeah.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Can you remember all of it? Did you trip?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- I couldn't remember anything... - You can't remember anything?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- I just fell down.- OK.- And I was down.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Other than the pain in your neck and your shoulder,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19have you got any pain anywhere else?
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Higher up in my spine.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- High up in your spine.- Yeah.- OK.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Try not to move, my love, OK?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27The pain in the spine is a big worry for the team,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29as is the woman's age.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- How old are you, my love?- 73.
0:14:32 > 0:14:3473? Well, you look good on 73.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Thank you very much.- You look lovely.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40We're going to get you sorted out, out of here as quickly as possible.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Carmen's son arrives, but there's still no sign of the ambulance,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46so Richie calls the ambulance service
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and upgrades the priority level.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51So hopefully they'll be here a bit sharper
0:14:51 > 0:14:54because we also need some kind of pain relief, as well.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57I think what we're going to do when the ambulance get here,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59they'll probably put a drip in your hand
0:14:59 > 0:15:02so we can get you some morphine painkiller
0:15:02 > 0:15:05so that when we move you it's going to be easier, all right?
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Good God!
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Um...she's right on the edge.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Carmen is slipping further down the escalator.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14What are you thinking?
0:15:14 > 0:15:17The team is desperate to move her so they can get her horizontal,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20but it becomes clear getting her onto the stretcher
0:15:20 > 0:15:23is going to be near-impossible in the position she's in
0:15:23 > 0:15:26without putting her at risk of further injury.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Stay. No, no, no, no. You're not going to fall.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Then Sharon has an idea.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Moving the escalator up until we've got a flat bit?
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Could you do that?- We could move the escalator to the top.- I don't...
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- We can get it until it's flat.- Yeah?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- I mean, you'd have to hold on to her...- Yeah.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Do you want us to do that? - We could do that.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50It's going to start with a slight jerk, as well.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54At least she'll be flatter. She's not going to slip.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I think we need to. I think she's going to slip.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00You'll have to stop it, as well. All right?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Sharon, Andy and Richie, along with the station's staff,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05get ready to move the escalator.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08They've never used one to move an injured person before.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It's a big moment.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15With Carmen's injuries, getting it right will be absolutely essential.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Later, the team turn the escalator back on.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Are you ready? Hold on tight because it will jolt.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Earlier, we saw PC Andy Pescott
0:16:31 > 0:16:35taking on the rogue rickshaw drivers of Oxford Street.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36They're an unlicensed trade
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and many are breaking noise and highway rules.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Buddy? Park it up here.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46But Andy's night of action is about to take an unexpected turn.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Andy has stopped a rickshaw with four customers on board
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and the driver is just explaining to his unsuspecting passengers
0:16:59 > 0:17:02how much their 20-minute ride has cost them.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06No, no, no, no, no. £100 each?
0:17:06 > 0:17:07- No.- Five pounds a minute.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12£5.00 per minute, per person?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- Yeah.- You have four people in here.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17How long does it take you to go the distance of Oxford Street?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Wow!
0:17:23 > 0:17:26£5.00 per minute, per person.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30You won't get much change for shopping on Oxford Street
0:17:30 > 0:17:32if you pay for a trip on this rickshaw.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Give him the £20, go on your way.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36Right, I'm telling you, my friend,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39the price you are setting is disgusting.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Make do with what you've got.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Make do with what you've got and get on your way.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48You're not getting any more money out of them, my friend.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Not at that price, you're not. Keep going!
0:17:52 > 0:17:53No, I'm not happy.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57£5.00 per minute, per person? It's extortion!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59And the driver's not finished.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01He's trying to catch up with the ladies now
0:18:01 > 0:18:03to extract more money out of them.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Oi! Clear off!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09He's gone...for now.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16But a short time later, Andy finds the same driver
0:18:16 > 0:18:21illegally parked at one of Oxford Street's landmark stores.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Step off onto the footpath, please. Step off onto the footpath.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Yet again, you have parked outside Selfridges
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and you both know that you cannot park outside Selfridges.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33You do not have to say anything,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned
0:18:36 > 0:18:38something you later rely on in court.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Do you understand the caution?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43As they've both been warned before,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46they are now summonsed to court for causing the obstruction.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Abuses by the rickshaws on Oxford Street have kept Andy busy tonight,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55but he's keen to stay one step ahead.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Of course it's a game.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59We'll summons them to court, they'll get a small fine,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02but they make more in 20 minutes than the fine itself.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06But if we don't enforce it, what's the point of us being here?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Whether they consider it to be a game or not, it's my job.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15We've got businesses who don't want it, so we've got to act positively.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Why are you playing that music so loud?
0:19:17 > 0:19:18It's not even like you've got customers.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20By the end of the operation,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Andy and the team have issued ten summonses for noise...- Turn it down!
0:19:23 > 0:19:25..and six for obstructing the highway.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Andy knows the rogue rickshaw drivers will be back
0:19:28 > 0:19:30but, for tonight at least,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34he's made sure they know who's in charge on Oxford Street.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Mate! Move on!
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Danish knick-knack store Tiger
0:19:48 > 0:19:51has opened its flagship Oxford Street shop this morning.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53We're open, it's Oxford Street!
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Loads of people queuing to get in.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57So far, things have gone well.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01If I was going to open a store, this is exactly how I would've done it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Everyone's happy and everyone is allowed to dance around the store.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08But if they're going to reach their targets
0:20:08 > 0:20:10they'll need a steady stream of customers.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And outside the search is on.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14There's our bus!
0:20:16 > 0:20:18The company has hired its own London bus
0:20:18 > 0:20:21to drive custom towards the new store.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Hiya, come to Tiger. It's just down there on your right.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Matthew Elwood is street side,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30trying to get as many potential customers as possible on board.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Come to Tiger, just on your right, just down there.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35He's set himself a target of 100.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38My first line might have to be, "I've got a free bus."
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Now, people may be inclined to take a free bus.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We have a free bus. There's our bus stop down there.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45I'll give you one of these to take.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47But after an hour of leafleting,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Matthew's struggling to get any customers on board.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Guys, the bus is going. The bus has gone.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56OK, we missed the bus.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59100 target I think is a little bit way off at the moment.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Back at the store, it might not have been open long,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07but Ian's desperate to get a look at the takings.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10The store's tills compare the amount of money taken
0:21:10 > 0:21:12against the number of transactions made.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16So we've been open for roughly three hours, so it's time to go and check
0:21:16 > 0:21:19the figures and see where we're up to, especially the average spend.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I'm hoping it's above £7.00.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23If it's anything over that, we're really, really doing well.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29OK, so we've got £2,528,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33which is, um...it's well on the way there.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37And then the average spend, which I'm really interested in, £8.14.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Great. That's amazing.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43If we carry on like that, we'll do exactly what we need to do today.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44So happy days.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Those on early shifts are heading home.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Nikki's family have come to congratulate her on her first day.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56First day's all over. All went brilliantly, so a glass of wine now.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01Store director Bilel is pleased with how the day has gone so far,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04with no major hitches and sales targets having been met.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Half an hour left, we're about to close and it's unbelievable.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10It's still busy.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Downstairs in the stockroom, Leandro's still hard at it.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21For him, it's clear it's been more than just a day at work.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23It's a change from the usual, innit?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26It's a change from just being at home and relaxing.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Living off Mum and Dad.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I just wanted some money, some extra money to blow.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33So I thought, you know what? Go for it.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37And then it actually turned out to be more than I expected.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41It came out to be a job prospect at the end.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43I don't know, I'm not looking back.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44I'm just giving it 100%.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50The doors are about to shut and customers are being turned away.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Sorry, we're closed. We're open tomorrow. Nine o'clock.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Thank you.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59A visibly-emotional Bilel locks up,
0:22:59 > 0:23:00delighted with the day
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and that the all-important sales targets have been met.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08A good day. An excellent day.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Never forget. I will never forget.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Neither will the staff as they finally head for home.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Tiger, Tiger!
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Oxford Street shopper Carmen Dolan
0:23:29 > 0:23:32has fallen down a Tube escalator on her way home.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37She's got a suspected fractured pelvis and is in great pain.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39She's also slipping down the escalator.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42I promise you, we're not going to let you fall down the stairs.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44All right? We'll not let go.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46A busy ambulance service is on its way,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49but until they get there, Sharon, Andy and Richie
0:23:49 > 0:23:51from the Network Incident Response team
0:23:51 > 0:23:55need to get Carmen horizontal, and fast.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59The best way to do this is by moving her on the escalator.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01But it's not something they've ever done before
0:24:01 > 0:24:03and it could be a bumpy ride.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- Are we all right with this? - Yeah, I think so.- OK.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10On your say-so, I will up and on your say-so, I will stop.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- OK.- All right?- Yeah. - OK?- Yeah.- You ready?
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Hold on tight because it will jolt.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20- All right. On three, one, two, three.- Up, now!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24OK. You're doing really well.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Give me this finger, this finger.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27- When you say.- OK. All right.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- When you say.- All right. - When you say.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- Stop!- Stop!- Stop!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Excellent! Perfect!- Thank you!
0:24:37 > 0:24:38I'm going to take control of the head.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40- Sharon's going to take the shoulders. - OK.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Carmen may now be flat, but it's not the end of the job
0:24:43 > 0:24:45for Sharon and Andy.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48It's going to hurt, OK? It's going to hurt, OK?
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Say something rude in a different language. Go on.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55You can, you can do it. I don't mind. Go on, go on.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59It's all right, it's all right. OK. Good girl! It's OK. Good girl.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Move your leg, move your leg.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02That's it. That's it.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04OK, Carmen, what we're going to do now
0:25:04 > 0:25:07is we're going to do what's called a logroll.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- OK?- John, do you want to come and help us?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13What we're going to do...is we're going to roll her over
0:25:13 > 0:25:15on my count and then we're going to...
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Towards...? Right, OK.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Ready? Roll.- Slide it under.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- Far as you can.- That's it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23- And back again.- Good.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Lovely.- That's it. Good girl!
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- Well done!- Well done.- You have done so well.- Try not to move.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31You've done so well, Carmen.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Now on the stretcher, they move her away from the escalator.
0:25:36 > 0:25:41- Your call.- Right, ready? Raise, lift. Nice and slow, nice and slow.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Lift. That's it. Lift, that's it. - That's it.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Nice and slow, nice and easy. - Don't trip, Andy.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50Step. You've got the MIVS behind you, dude. Well done, Carmen.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Bend your legs.- That's it.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- Stay there, that's fine. - Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01At least now she's in a stiff board, her back is straight
0:26:01 > 0:26:04and her head is in a better position.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- Do it crossways, Rich. - Like that?- Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Carmen's still in pain, so Sharon keeps her talking.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17We were shopping in Oxford Street and we were just on our way home...
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- You were shopping in Oxford Street? - Yeah.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Carmen, have you got any medical conditions?- Oh, yes.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26And then, finally, the London Ambulance Service arrives
0:26:26 > 0:26:30and with them the pain relief Carmen so badly needed.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33This is good news, we've got a means of transportation.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37The LAS has turned up and it looks like they've got some pain relief.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38So, that's good news.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42That's a bit of action to recover this person
0:26:42 > 0:26:45to hospital, where they need to be.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48And, with that, Carmen is stretchered out of the station
0:26:48 > 0:26:51to hospital for specialist treatment.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54For the Network Incident Response team it's a picture perfect example
0:26:54 > 0:26:56of what they were set up to do.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It could have gone better,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01just for the response from the London Ambulance.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06Hence why Andy and I made the decision to move the lady.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It was a difficult decision to make,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10because we didn't want to make the injury any worse.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13However, she was sliding on the escalator
0:27:13 > 0:27:17and could have damaged her spine and her neck even more.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- So, it was... - Camden Town, platform one.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Sorry to interrupt. Got a person collapsed on a train.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25The Network Incident Response team's day is far from over.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28And since we filmed,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Carmen was treated at the Royal London Hospital.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Thankfully, it turned out her collarbone wasn't broken
0:27:34 > 0:27:36and neither was her pelvis.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39However, her pelvis had been severely bruised.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43She is now recovering well and is managing to get around
0:27:43 > 0:27:44with the help of a walking frame.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55With its grand buildings and world-famous stores,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Oxford Street is a must-visit destination for shoppers
0:27:58 > 0:28:00both nationally and internationally.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05And to stay at the top of the retail tree, it's paramount the street
0:28:05 > 0:28:08is as attractive a place to shop as possible.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14It's so important, in fact, that the street's Retail Association,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18the New West End Company, has invested in its own cleaning team.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22It's the job of this team to make sure all aspects of the pavements
0:28:22 > 0:28:26and street furniture look spick and span each day, every day.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30This morning, Andre is up bright and early
0:28:30 > 0:28:32to give the street a once-over.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It's never boring, it's not that kind of work.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39You leave the street looking nice,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42very fresh - if a street can look fresh.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Andre's a trained flusher,
0:28:44 > 0:28:48allowed to use a high-pressure water jet to clean the streets.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51It helps in his ongoing battle with spilt drinks.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56What we usually do is, where the bins are,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59because that's where people drop most of the milkshake.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00They drop here.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03It's like people have been having a milkshake fight or something.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05It's all over the place, you know.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I blame milkshake, but it's not milkshake's fault.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10It's coffee, it's milkshake, it's a lot of drinks.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Now, this one is kind of fresh.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15I think somebody dropped that maybe about half an hour ago.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Well, this one looks like it needs a bit of degreaser
0:29:21 > 0:29:22because it's not coming up,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26but degreaser will change its mind.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Just put down a splash of degreaser.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30It's definitely a lemonade-based drink,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34or perhaps maybe tea or something.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35No, not tea.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44And the gun on its own wouldn't have got rid of that.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Another thing you can do with this
0:29:46 > 0:29:49is you can flush cigarettes out of the cracks in the pavement.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52That's secret, though. But, yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Yeah, this is not too bad now.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Probably going to come back later after all this filming
0:29:56 > 0:29:58and just do the whole lot.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Just do a real big job, you know, very aggressively.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04You won't see that, you don't want to see that on camera.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07But, yeah, this bit here. Yeah, it's very nice now
0:30:07 > 0:30:09and then I'll put down some more degreaser
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and it'll look pretty good, you know.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Not many jobs you can see a result. The result is right there.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Clean.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Andre's just one of the eight strong clean team dedicated
0:30:22 > 0:30:26to keeping Oxford Street shipshape and Bristol fashion.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31For team boss Simon it's about making sure the street
0:30:31 > 0:30:34is fit to host the millions of foreign visitors
0:30:34 > 0:30:36that flock there every year.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40It's very important. These people have come from all over the world
0:30:40 > 0:30:43to visit places like Oxford Street.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46The least we can do is create a great impression for these people.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50At the other end of the street fellow clean team member Viktor
0:30:50 > 0:30:52is getting ready for his shift.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Originally from Russia,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Viktor's been part of the clean team for ten years.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02Everyday I'm busy. It's a very different job, every day.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Viktor's heading up Oxford Street to begin work
0:31:06 > 0:31:09but, as he reaches the halfway point at Oxford Circus,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11he's stopped in his tracks.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17In Viktor's way is a public sector march,
0:31:17 > 0:31:19which sees tens of thousands of people
0:31:19 > 0:31:23heading to Trafalgar Square to protest against Government policy.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24WHISTLE BLOWING
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- What do we want?- Gove out! - When do we want it?- Now.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- What we want?- Gove out! - When do we want it?- Now.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33It's the clean team's worst nightmare -
0:31:33 > 0:31:37thousands of people generating tonnes of rubbish.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41And political protests like this bring with them a serious headache.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Stickers.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47For example, these stickers on this map.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52I use a scraper for removing these stickers.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Stickers are a potent weapon in the protester's armoury.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Unfortunately for Viktor, it means he's got his work cut out.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05There's a lot of rubbish,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08a lot of stickers, on the lampposts, everywhere.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10So it's big job.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12PROTESTERS WHISTLE AND CHANT
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Thumbs down. It's thumbs down, it's funny.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24At last, victory is in sight.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27I remove now all stickers on Oxford Circus.
0:32:27 > 0:32:33Now finished. They go to Trafalgar Square direction.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38And, with that, Viktor, Simon and Andre's jobs are over.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41For all of them, keeping such an important street clean
0:32:41 > 0:32:42is a matter of pride.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48It's got the highest footfall, as they call it,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51in the world, almost. You know?
0:32:51 > 0:32:55I mean, yes, it's the busiest street in the world,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59so it needs constant attention to keep it looking in tip-top shape.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It doesn't stop. It doesn't stop, no, no, no. Almost 24/7, almost.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08Except that it isn't 24/7, it's more nine hours a day, yeah.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24It's 11pm and, while Oxford Street is full of drinkers and partygoers,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27for Gary Patterson and Dan Emery of Thames Water
0:33:27 > 0:33:29their working day is just beginning.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32We're in Oxford Circus.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34As you can see, there's buses, traffic,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36a lot of people walking through.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39It's one of the busiest parts of London.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43They're trunk sewer technicians, better known as flushers.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47It's their job as part of Thames Water's maintenance team
0:33:47 > 0:33:49to make sure the capital's vast sewer system
0:33:49 > 0:33:51is kept in good working order,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55free of fat, rats and other unpleasant deposits.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59You do maintenance checks,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01just in case there is stuff that needs to be done.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02If there is emergency works
0:34:02 > 0:34:05then we're making sure everything is still operational.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Increased building development, the paving over of green spaces
0:34:09 > 0:34:12and intense storms mean there's been an increase
0:34:12 > 0:34:15in the amount of surface water entering the sewer network.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19It means the upkeep of the sewers is more important than ever
0:34:19 > 0:34:21to prevent them flooding.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Today, Gary and Dan have been tasked with testing out
0:34:24 > 0:34:26a key piece of Victorian sewer equipment
0:34:26 > 0:34:28in one of the vast historic brick sewers
0:34:28 > 0:34:33that runs underneath the world's most famous shopping street.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36For flushers Gary and Dan, working the sewers is a labour of love.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40It's not an everyday type job,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43but being stuck behind a desk for seven years,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45and I wanted to get my hands dirty,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49I think this is the most interesting job I've ever had in my lifetime.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52I don't see it as a job, it's more of an adventure, you know.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53It's very different.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57The presence of Thames Water sewer flushers is a stark contrast
0:34:57 > 0:35:00to the heart of London's glittering West End around them.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03It's no wonder they can cause quite a stir.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Everyone does look at you thinking what you wear?
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- GARY LAUGHS - Ghostbusters, pest controllers,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12forensics, everything.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15# Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
0:35:15 > 0:35:19# DO-DO DO-DO I ain't afraid of no slime. #
0:35:20 > 0:35:24With waste from over 200 shops and 30 million visitors
0:35:24 > 0:35:26each year flowing into the sewer,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30fat and other deposits can easily build up and cause blockages.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34When it comes to what they'll find down under,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Gary and Dan have learned to expect the unexpected.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Always exciting when you're going down
0:35:39 > 0:35:41cos you never know what you're going to see.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44It's a different world under there compared to what it is up here.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47No-one sees it, we're actually the lucky ones
0:35:47 > 0:35:50that go down and actually see the underground of London.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52BEEPING
0:35:52 > 0:35:55It's soon time for Gary and Dan to get to work.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Today, they've got two tasks. The first one is to lace and bait
0:35:59 > 0:36:02for the ever-growing population of sewer rats.
0:36:03 > 0:36:04The second and main job
0:36:04 > 0:36:07is to inspect the Victorian sewer equipment.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It's imperative it's in good working order.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11All clear.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15The first part of the sewer has modern concrete walling,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18but the equipment they're here to visit is down another ladder
0:36:18 > 0:36:23to another level altogether, and a sewer well over 100 years old.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25As you go down further,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28you will see the old Victorian brick, which will be your next level.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- OK.- Right, you're on your safety rope, yeah?
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- BEEPING - There's quite a bit of water.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35I'm just going to go and have a look
0:36:35 > 0:36:38to make sure we can actually get in there.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Er...about just up to my ankle.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47It's not that deep at all.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51- Top?- Yes?
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Right, it's full of silt, we're going to have to go along again.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57There's a couple of dead rats here, so just watch your step.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58All right, dude.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02The mention of rats sees Gary called to the surface for some backup.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Can you send the equipment down? - Yeah, we'll send it down.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09This is basically to beat the rats out of the way
0:37:09 > 0:37:11cos Gary's quite scared of rats.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15So, this is how far he can get to them.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17He can't get any closer, apparently.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Coming down!
0:37:20 > 0:37:22The rats around here are a big problem.
0:37:22 > 0:37:28They breed so quickly. I mean, they've never seen the surface,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30they just live and die down here.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35But they just multiply, it's just out of control.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- But at least the poison's working. - Yeah.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Time for task one - taking on the rats.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46That's a bit of poison for a rat.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Rats teeth constantly grow and they need something to gnaw,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57but they eat the brickwork, you've got wood down here,
0:37:57 > 0:38:01they can go through cables. It depends what's in the sewer, as well.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03So, it's not like us humans.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Rats, they're like mating with, I dunno,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10brothers, sisters, everything. ain't they?
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Mad. They'll get immune to this bait, anyway.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- All right?- Right, that's the last bit, yeah?
0:38:17 > 0:38:22Gary and Dan are part of a team of 39 Thames Water flushers that patrol
0:38:22 > 0:38:27London's largest trunk sewers to ensure things keep flowing.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31In total, they clear around 80,000 blockages a year.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34The majority of these are caused by cooking fats and oils,
0:38:34 > 0:38:36which congeal in the sewers
0:38:36 > 0:38:39forming a thick layer around the walls and pipes.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42That is a lump of fat.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46That's what you get from restaurants.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48It builds up on the sides.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Just break it, it's just fat.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51It can go from one side 100%
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and you've still got the flow underneath it
0:38:54 > 0:38:57and you've got to sit there with a shovel and just
0:38:57 > 0:38:59channel through it until it's all off.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03The fat out of the way, they head on to their destination,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05and the rats aren't far behind.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- And around your feet.- Up there, look.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- There you go. - Just down the back, there.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- There he goes.- There he goes. - He's gone behind.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16No, it's not there now.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Time to turn to the task in hand.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22This is a penstock, a cast-iron Victorian valve
0:39:22 > 0:39:25used to divert the neighbouring sewer
0:39:25 > 0:39:27for maintenance and emergencies.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30It's as essential today as the day it was fitted.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32What it does,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34we open this penstock and it transfers the flow
0:39:34 > 0:39:36from the mid level, down the Regent sewer,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38all the way up to Piccadilly.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42If we don't maintain these on a regular basis they will seize up.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47Cos these are old. These are original penstocks that were put in.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51But, yeah, we have to take it fully up, let it flow through a bit,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53and then let it close back down.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58Behind this wall here is where the mid level one sewer is.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01So, when we lift this it's going to rush through here.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04- Right, are you ready?- Yeah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08They set about opening the penstock.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12With 100-year-old cast iron technology, it's not easy to shift.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13That's tight, innit?
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- OK, it's toward you, innit? - I don't know.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Yeah, that's it.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23- OK?- Yeah.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26That's the only trouble,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29when you start working in environments like this...
0:40:29 > 0:40:31you start to build up a sweat.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35And, despite not having seen the light of day for over a century,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38the penstock is soon shown to be in working order.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44I'm just going to move some stones,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46so that it drops the level quite better.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53It's flowing better now.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55This is where you get silt and stones
0:40:55 > 0:40:58that sits in it, and it builds up and it builds up.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00So the water's stuck behind the stones,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02so I just made a pathway to get the flow.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- That's lovely now. - Nice and smooth.- Yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09# You spin me right round, Baby, right round
0:41:09 > 0:41:10# Like a record baby. #
0:41:10 > 0:41:12I've earned myself another shower.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15With the penstock greased and working,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Gary takes the chance to search for some more treasures from the past.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23HE WHISTLES
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Let's see what we've got there.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29A bit of DIY.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Here we go, look. This is what I was looking for.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36As you can see, it's an old coin. It's proper rusted up.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40But you get all the coins. Farthings...
0:41:42 > 0:41:45..old spoons, knives and forks. If you've got time on your hands
0:41:45 > 0:41:49you can just have a look around, see what you've got.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52People outside work,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55they ask what job you do and the first thing they do,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58"Eurgh! Do you get covered in poo?"
0:41:58 > 0:42:01No. You don't get covered in poo.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04It's a job that you can sit back and you can be proud of.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Cos you're maintaining the sewers of what the Victorians built.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Some of it is amazing.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14You'll never get a brickie who can cut....
0:42:14 > 0:42:16something like this.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18I'd put it down as one of the wonders of the world.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21This is my office. Innit, Dan?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- Yeah.- It's our office.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25The only downfall is, you don't get tea or coffee.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27HE LAUGHS
0:42:27 > 0:42:28Going up.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31And, with that, it's job done for Gary and Dan.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Time to head for the surface and some of the unexpected inhabitants
0:42:35 > 0:42:39that lurk above ground in the small hours on Oxford Street.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- What's that smelly- BLEEP- down there?
0:42:43 > 0:42:46What's happening? What's down there?
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Give me a sword, I'll go down there and kill them all.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53- What you think's down there? - I've got a ticket.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- That goes underground. - THEY ALL LAUGH.