Page 22 - link magazine

22 DAY IN THE LIFE
I hate decorating so it is a relief that too. I make my way through to The
it's now time to get ready for evening A shift in the life Link Centre for a walk round just to
shift. PC546 Ian Home covers a patch stretching from check out the area.
It's 15.00 hours and time to don We've had some minor problems
my uniform; check the creases - I'll Blagrove to Sparcells, mostly on foot. Here he with youngsters causing mischief
get away with them tonight; a quick describes one of his busier days in West Swindon through their usual adolescent bore-
polish of the boots and off I go (start dom of the entertainment available
time is 16.00 hours but we always get and their interpretation of what's fun.
in early for briefing). All appears well, the usual banter
It's 16.10 hours, briefing over and from a group of young men stretch-
out to my patch. I use the bus - it ing their wings. The occasional "oink,
gives me a chance to read through oink" rings out - nothing original.
my enquiries and chat to some chil- By the ice rink entrance I recognize
dren on the way. a group of youngsters from Green-
First call is in King Henry Drive to down School. We have a brief healthy
speak to a lady who had frightened debate over a current event and they
off two prowlers the previous night make some points, worthy of remem-
whilst running around the house with bering for a future date.
no clothes on. I hasten to point out Later, walking through the dark
that! don't mean the sight of the lady backways I'm surprised to find a
scared them off. Reassurance is given, young girl walking on her own. How
as the lady's main fear is that they do you warn a young girl about the
may return again. The address is not dangers of walking around in the
far from my home and I promise to dark in lonely places without fright-
visit the area each night whilst I'm on Ian Home on one of his regular liaison visits to Greendown Community ening her unnecessarily?
evening shifts, on my way home. I I walk alongside the lass for a few
suggest in passing that it may be a School with Myles Thwaites, Sufia Ali and Lisa Taylor minutes having a friendly chat be-e
fore she enters her home. I hope the
good idea to draw the curtains after 18.30 now, and I envy the occupants papers it's no surprise that I start to fore
dark. of the bar. It's raining heavily and get left behind. message gets home. We live in a
A quick visit to Shaw Village I'm running out of dry patches on my However he makes a big mistake good safe area but one incident would
Centre just to check all is well. A chat body; time to go home for a change of and looks round to see if I'm follow- be too much.
to two motorcyclists about their man- uniform. I make my way up through ing him. The benefit of working the 23.00 hours and the pubs are start-
ner of riding and on reaching a mu- Middleleaze past the building sites. same area for over four years bears ing to turn out. This is one of our
tual understanding I'm on my way. Halfway through the sites I see a fruit; I recognize him straight away problem times when rational civi-
From there I make my way through movement in one of the near com- as a local and stop chasing. I plan to lised behaviour is destroyed by alco-
to Nine Elms. I have an enquiry for pleted houses. I've had a number of have a chat with him later For now hol. Don't get me wrong, I like a
the Metropolitan Police about a traf- fittings stolen from houses on this I'll content myself returning to the drink, but too much in the wrong
fic accident and they request that I site and after requesting back up on house to see what I can find. person means work for me. From
interview a resident as the offending my radio, there is nothing for it but to The response car turns up - not now to the end of the shift I'm extra
driver. Paperwork! the bain of the move in and trust that if I do get into bad time. I would have been OKif I'd wary as this is when my colleagues
police. I sit down and start to inter- trouble the car arrives in time. hit trouble and it's reassuring to know and I appear to be at highest risk
view the person. Every question and As! get near to the hon-e a youth there's backup. A look round the from assault.
answer has to be written down. I'm of around 18 years make a break house reveals nothing amiss but a 23.20 hours and I hear my col-
required to advise the person that from the rear of the building loping check will be made with the builders league in the response car being sent
they are entitled to speak with a so- off across the rubble strewn site. in the morning. I'm grateful for a lift to the car park of a local pub. I make
licitor before going further with the That's not normal behaviour and home in the car, a fresh uniform and my way there as quickly as I can. I
interview and they request to do so. he obviously doesn't want to stop change of boots. It's 1900- time for a support him as he supports me, when
Frustrating it is, but it is their right and chat to me. Now I'm no super refreshment break. we have to attend potential trouble.
and I pack up and leave making an athlete but I can surprise people when The radio goes again calling my I arrive slightly puffed and search
appointment to see them the follow- it comes to a run but when the other number - a neighbour of an elderly around for my colleague. I notice
ing night. guy's in trackshoes, denim jacket and gentleman in Langstone Way is con- him in the entrance to the pub in
From Nine Elms I cut back past the jeans, and I'm fully uniformed with cerned that his milk is still on the heated debate with a group of men
public house, all seems quiet - it is helmet and a bag of confidential doorstep and his curtains are still who have obviously had a good
drawn. During a brisk walk to the night's drinking.
Soft Water Centre address I hardly notice the rain as I We attempt to find out what's
think about what I might find. One going on; there has been a fight over
Largest display of softeners on view in this area including of the unpleasant duties is finding something but what, we cannot find
PERMUTIT - DOMEXTRA - PERMO people who have passed away, out. The main offender appears to
AND MANY OTHER MAKES sometimes laying for hours or even have left the scene and those left
For Free Site Survey, Telephone or Write to days before we find them. behind suddenly forget who he is or
MALCOLM TOOGOOD - SWINDON 853156 (anytime) On reaching the address repeated what's happened - it's not unusual.
Unit 4, Oaklands Enterprises, Braydon, Nr. Wootton Bassett, Swindon banging on doors and windows gets The remaining group is warned to
Showrooms Open Saturday 9.30a.m. - 4p.m. Only no response and it's time to look for go on their way without causing
an entry point. No sign of an obvious further trouble or they run the risk of
one so there's nothing for it but to being arrested. To reinforce the
.0 break a window. A quick check of message the large dark shape of the
Ch
b ' the downstairs and no sign of any- Police Sherpa Van arrives at the scene
'b115. body. I then make my way up to the and the trouble makers are quickly
11fltij 'e. front bedroom and my worst fears dispersed.
are confirmed when I see an elderly 23.40 hours - nearly end of shift.
WE HA VE THE JOBS! gentleman laying in bed quite still. I It's raining again-which at least will
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE! switch on the light to see better and cool any hot heads and ensure that
the gentleman suddenly jumps up-
they don't hang around the area for
We have numerous temporary vacancies available to hard working right in bed (I jump slightly higher). long. I take a last walk through the
reliable people who wish to earn some money. After calming the gentleman down West Swindon Centre before head-
Secretarial, Administrative, Clerical, Warehouse and Technical. I explain to him what's happened ing home via the footway into Grange
These positions would be suitable for school leavers, mums and why I'm there. After a check I Park. All appears quiet now, just a
wishing to get back to work, students, unemployed, more mature find that's he's taken a double dose of few scurrying figures going home
people, part-time or full-time. sleeping tablets the previous night in and my front door is a welcome sight.
Contact Sue Rawlins for more Information. a moment's forgetfulness. I make us Time for a quick cup of tea before
/ (Our service is absolutely free). both a cup of tea and then after squar- bed (God, my feet ache). I'm glad it
ing up the broken window, get on was a quiet night. I suddenly re-e
STORM MANAGEMENT SERVICES my way. member my promise to the lady in
member
21.00 hours already, the night is King Henry Drive. Come on, dogs -
27 Commercial Road, Swindon. Tel: 481301.
flying by and it's stopped raining walkies time!