Paramedic Vehicles To Combat Domestic Violence

North Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service are launching a brand new initiative this week to tackle domestic violence as part of Operation Impact, an eight-week campaign to gain a sustained reduction in crime across the region.

A sensible initiative I'm sure. After all, how many times do you go to a drunken domestic and need to call for an ambulance to treat the aftermath of the rowing parties fisty cuffs? Any new measure that goes some way towards dealing with the aftermath of British binge drinking has to be applauded.

The media release goes on to say... the pairing of a paramedic with a police officer on late night weekend shifts means emergency care is now on the city’s streets - helping to reduce unnecessary 999 calls and visits to A&E. Apparently this scheme has already been trialed in other parts of Yorkshire with positive results for both emergency services.

Despite the good points I also have some thoughts of caution...

• Is the paramedic to receive any additional self defence training, over and above the basics they already receive? In a highly charged drink fueled disturbance the possibility of injury is obviously increased.
• Is there not a a slight conflict of interests between the crew of the vehicle? Although they have a common remit to preserve life, one has that as a primary aim the other's is law enforcement.
• Is this not another import from the USA where there is more combined management of emergency services and cross role working?
• Is this another way of sneaking workforce modernisation in by the back door?

I suppose it is highly likely more good than bad will come from the 'experiment' but I would like to reserve judgement, at least for now.

Nah then lad, owt goin' on?

The BBC says; Concerns are being raised over the future of the Yorkshire Dialect. New research says our traditional way of speaking is being watered down and may eventually die out. The way we talk, what we say and how we say it, is as much a part of who we are as the place we were born. If you're lucky enough to be from the 'broad acres' of Yorkshire you'll know how important this is!

I wasn’t actually born here and, despite spending a large proportion of my life in Yorkshire, I have struggled from time to time with understanding some of the locals. As many people will know, Yorkshire is split into North, South, East & West Ridings and there are numerous subtle differences in the dialects of Yorkshire. I have experienced at least 6 different dialects in North Yorkshire alone during my time in the County. It would have been easier to understand when I first started work as a police officer if a resource such as the Yorkshire dialect glossary had been available then!

The way people talk in Yorkshire even has it’s own society. Established in 1897, the Yorkshire Dialect Society is the world's oldest surviving dialect society. It grew out of a committee formed nearly three years earlier by Professor Joseph Wright, which was set up to collect additional Yorkshire material for the English Dialect Dictionary.

1000 Days At Sea

Looking at 'Other Blogs of Interest' I came across a link for 1000 Days at Sea, which caught my interest. After a quick flip through the blog I went for a look at the supporting website (or should it be the blog supports the website?) however, according to Capt. Reid Stowe; "The object of the voyage is to leave the land and all support, sail for 1,000 days, non-stop at sea without receiving help, to live at sea, to be healthy, to send back good messages and have the whole world follow the voyage and understand the importance of it". To say I was inspired to go to sea again was an understatement!

On days off I often climb the 199 steps to the Abbey or sit by the Whale Bone Arch and look out over the sea... I can understand the feelings that inspired and drove Captain James Cook to become a world famous explorer. I suppose there is a bit of latent explorer in many of us, a consequence of being an island inhabitant and living close to the sea? Who knows, maybe an explorer's life could be a good venture for retirement? Any way must be off and, better remember the kippers for breakfast on my way home!

Calendar Girls Charity Chocolate

The women of the Rylestone Women's Institute have already gained notoriety by stripping naked for the world's most famous calendar. Now they have lent their bodies to something more wicked still - chocolate. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The ladies, from the opposite side of the County, have over the years made a massive contribution to Leukaemia Research. A fine example of what is good about our country and it's community spirit. Pity this sort of thing is now unusual when it was once the norm. Too often these days, large elements of our society have no interest in doing things for anyone but themselves!

The now world famous Calendar Girls have raised over £1 million for Leukaemia Research – and their invaluable work continues. The Chocolate box is available online from Leukaemia Research for £1.99, with 20p going to the charity.

Woman fined £500 for hoax calls to emergency services

A Lonely woman who bombarded the 999 service because she wanted someone to talk to has been condemned for putting lives at risk... And rightly so! A colleague in the control room pointed out that she was often so hammered you couldn't even tell what she was saying. The comment in the media about an 'alcohol problem' was obviously an understatement! My friend also said the majority of 999 calls they receive are not emergencies, many people use the emergency number like a Freephone NYP.

A typical conversation goes something like;

NYP: Police Emergency

Call: It ain't an emergency right, it's like I ain't got no credit on me mobi

NYP: You should ring 0845 60 60 247

Call: Like I just said, I ain't got no credit mate! You effing fick or summat?

British Telecom estimate that around 40% of all 999 calls are malicious - 2,700 of them are made in the North-East every year. Yep Mr Brown, the idea about raising the driving age is great and whilst your on, introduce financial and educational testing of our wonderful underclass chavs before they are authorised to operate a mobile telephone... I was going to say 'purchase' but it's probably nicked any way!

Foot & Mouth: An anxious wait for farmers

Cattle at a Surrey farm have tested positive for Foot & Mouth disease; the last outbreak in 2001 devastated many parts of rural Britain including North Yorkshire. At this time of year the ban on livestock movements is a major financial headache for our communities and, some agricultural shows and village fetes have already been hit (see Tockwith Show).

Despite the mases of overtime worked during the 2001 outbreak (which gave officers healthy bank balances), I for one would not wish to see the total desimation of our livestock again. Some of our farmers who managed not to go out of business then are only just getting back to normal now!

NY County Council website offers this advice: Following the confirmation of Foot and Mouth disease on a farm in Guildford, Surrey on 3rd August, 2007 should you require any information please refer to the DEFRA website or contact the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or, if you live within North Yorkshire, you can contact the North Yorkshire County Council Animal Health and Welfare helpline on 0845 3301221.

All steamed up!

The biggest Steam Fair in the North of England... Pickering Traction Engine Rally, 2nd 3rd 4th 5th August. The show originates from the early 1950s when a group of locals raced four steam traction engines in a field on the outskirts of the town. This was the start of steam engine rallies. The show of today has grown out of all recognition and is now one of the biggest outdoor spectaculars in the UK. These days you can even try a Traction Engine Driving Experience holidays!

North Yorkshire Police Awards 2007

PC Harry Baker stationed at Whitby is the North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year for 2007. He has become a familiar figure within the local communities who appreciate his conscientious work and his problem-solving skills tackling a wide variety of issues ranging from tourist parking to neighbour’s disputes to bullying in school... So says the NYP media release.

Yes Harry may be what is now termed an 'NPT Officer' however, the style of policing he has been awarded for is nothing new to the sticks, it's what the majority of us do and, it's what our 'customers' over the years have come to expect!

I'm not suggesting that Harry isn't deserving of the award for one minute but aren't we all supposed to be public servants and carry out our role as part of the community? It should never be an us and them situation but unfortunately, with the government messing and creation of a multi tear policing structure that's the way we are going! How long before it's only CSOs that get this recognition and we, the fully sworn police officers are only there to dish out strong arm retribution to the drunken, ill behaved underclasses?

Ashfordly Police Station

Asfordly Police Station will be farmiliar to regular viewers of Heartbeat and, the interior of the parade room. It features in almost every episode, usually filled with bobbies working on their reports, drinking tea or simply gossiping. This could have been my blog base but the pub was more to my liking and, all incumbants of the station drink at the Aidensfield Arms in any case!

I suppose during my service I can find similarities with myself and some of the Heartbeat characters. I started off as a PC Phil Bellamy, did a long period as a Village Bobby like PC Nick Rowan and yes I did have my own Claude Jeremia Greengrass! Finally and after performing long periods as an Acting Sgt Oscar Blaketon I'm a PC Alf Ventress finally waiting for my well earned and iminent retirement.

The similarities will change once retired... I'm more likely to be a Blaketon in a pub as opposed to a police civilian clerk like Ventress!

Probationary Blogger

Despite my usual verbosity, both written and verbal, I am feeling very much like I did when I took my first steps as a police officer. I'm by now means computer illiterate but this blogging stuff is virgin territory. At a time like this a pint or two normally does the trick! Couldn't be in a better place but how did I arrive at the Aidensfield Arms?

Well as many of you will know, the town of Ashfordly nad village of Aidensfield only exist because of an author's imagination and I actually worked with that particular author many years ago when he was also a police officer. For the last 30 years he, (Nicholas Rhea) has been writing books, drawing on his experiences in the police force. His best known work, the Constable Series of books, provided the inspiration for the hugely popular TV series 'Heartbeat'. He still remains involved with the series today as a consultant.

I suppose I chose Ashfordly Police Station as the base for my blog for several reasons; It's like the one I was first posted to out of traing school, my first Sergeant was like Oscar Blaketon and many of the locals at the Aidensfield Arms are like the people I first policed. The village pub was often a hub for a village community however sadly many are now going out of business and being converted into houses for well healed city types who have made a killing playing with money, on many occasions other people's money.

I'm not jealous but it does concern me that the vast swaths of wealth transferring from the cities into the country side have caused property prices to rise. These market forces are such that local communities are fragmenting as the inhabitants move away to seek homes they can afford. What makes it even more criminal is that properties snapped up by wealthy business men and their families are often only used as second homes or rented out as holiday cottages. Many of our villages are dying but that's market forces for you!

History Stuff

The North Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire. In 1974 both the administrative county and the Lieutenancy of the North Riding of Yorkshire were abolished, being succeeded in most of the Riding by the new non-metropolitan county of North Yorkshire.

The biggest county in England & Wales, North Yorkshire (in particular the North Yorks Moors) is the setting for the TV Series of 'Heartbeat'. It is also the home of this blog and the area I have worked for the majority of my adult life. Although rural and picturesque, even North Yorkshire is starting to suffer from the Great British underclass!

See Metropolitan Police - British Police History

The heart is still beating but slowing down!

Having been a copper since not long after the Heartbeat era you could say I've seen some change, unfortunately not much of it has been for the better! And that's in relation to the public and the police alike. In this blog I'll be offering the views of a policeman's lot from the dales and moors of the largest county in England.