We spend a night on the tiles with town centre cops
Last updated 12:07, Thursday, 26 June 2008
THE thrills and spills of a night out in Barrow can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
In the early hours of last Saturday morning I pulled on a bright yellow florescent jacket and headed out with two police officers from Barrow station.
My aim was to experience what a night out in the town centre looks like when you’re sober, something that is all part of a day’s work for the constabulary. Sgt Paul Madden and soon-to-be-married Community Officer Eric McKinley from the Local Policing Team accompanied me on a journey into drinking culture. The patrol was part of Operation Regulate, a police campaign to provide more visible police officers on the streets.
Nothing could prepare me for what I found.
The trouble started before we even left the police station with a drunken man being forced into a police cell, kicking and screaming. After a quick tour of the station we stepped out on to the street and into the alcohol-scented air.
Sgt Madden, father of two, said: “If we are in plain clothes we can observe people’s natural behaviour which is a good tactic, but if we go out in uniform it provides a visible presence. I think it makes a lot of people feel safer. If something starts up we can intervene before it escalates. It’s about making sure you know where your trouble spots are.”
Throughout Barrow, Dalton and Ulverston, Cumbria Police have 31 CCTV cameras, which are monitored constantly from a control room at Barrow police station. These cameras are used to spot trouble, and the footage can be used as evidence in a criminal court.
As we strolled past the busy town centre pubs and clubs, hundreds of smokers spilled on to the pavement.
Under the scattered street lights spates of violence break out among gangs of lads, who then, without fail, disbanded as the clearly-visible officers approached.
PC Eric McKinley said: “We work closely with the door staff at pubs and clubs. They tell us if they suspect someone of having drugs and they also take the bottles that we collect from the street away from us.”
While walking down Dalton Road at 2.25am a call came over the police officers’ radios reporting a theft in progress on Portland Walk.
As we rushed to the scene two young men walked towards us having been seen on CCTV grabbing an elderly homeless woman’s bag.
The officers burst into action, forcing the youngsters against a wall. The men’s details were taken and they were allowed on their way.
Sgt Madden said at the scene: “They both took the bag from her as a joke. They have both been on the drink and have seen an opportunity to take advantage of someone who is vulnerable.
“We were in the right place at the right time.”
I found out later that the woman opts to live on the streets as a lifestyle choice, and not out of necessity. She told us she would spend the rest of the night with a relative.
The night was not all doom and gloom. Crowds of jolly drinkers queuing outside the Princess Selandia’s Blue Lagoon nightclub, near the docklands, were happy to give their views.
Sophie Ravetta, out with her friends, said: “If you are out with friends we feel safe. I like coming out in Barrow, there are some great clubs. I think the police being around does help to stop trouble because people might think twice before kicking off if they see a policeman.”
Most of the clubs in Cornwallis Street, the main clubbing street in Barrow, were packed to the rafters with party-goers dressed to the hilt in some elaborate outfits. On parade were scores of girls dressed as police officers or fairies, all out for a good time.
As late Saturday night turned into early Sunday morning the initial excitement of the party died down to be replaced by a lethargic drunken mess.
Groups of scantily-clad girls huddled in corners to keep warm, all munching on greasy takeaways. As 4am approached we made our way back to the station, feet aching and tired.
Local Police Team Inspector David Bosson, said: “Barrow is a vibrant town and we work in partnership with the Safe Industry Authority.
“We put extra staff on at weekends and people see police working around them and it makes them feel safe.”
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