
Features / Bristicles
Seagulls to CID: a day in the life of police
Police have revealed the bizarre, comical and often harrowing realities they face each day through a 24-hour ‘tweetathon’.
The event saw local bobbies, community officers, mounted units and the press team all live-tweeting their work in an attempt to showcase what a day in the life of force was like.
Here’s what the tweetathon revealed:
They’re a diverse bunch.
From bikers,
Our OP BIKER ready for action this afternoon !! If your riding a motorbike illegally watch these boys will find you pic.twitter.com/vgYcMhM0Q0
— ASPoliceBristolSouth (@ASPBristolSouth) July 22, 2015
to divers,
This where we store all our dive/swift water kit #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/FzHezjFCEs
— PS Nick Evans (@Nick_Police) July 22, 2015
and those who don’t even wear a uniform.
PD Lebos personnel grooming time, more than a job #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/BNtrzYpevP
— ASPoliceDogs (@ASPoliceDogs) July 22, 2015
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Some stereotypes are deeply rooted in truth.
Put my hand in my pocket (not for bad reason) should keep #NightShift awake at Bridewell and Trinity #Bristol #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/4XwSaxWuXs
— Police SeanUnderwood (@sean_police) July 21, 2015
Dan has a new horse.
PCSO Dan and his new horse! #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/TCD9q78NBr
— ASPolice Kingswood (@ASPKingswood) July 22, 2015
One thing is for certain, the British public aren’t quite sure when to call 999. Here’s a clue, it’s not an emergency if you are:
a bit peckish,
Taken 999 call from a woman complaining that she is staying in a guest house & the owner won’t cook breakfast -clearly a misue of 999. ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
or soggy,
Heavy rain in the night… Just received a call from someone splashed by a puddle! #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
or forgetful,
Just had a call to 101 from man asking which car insurance company he is with as he has forgotten. Clearly not a police matter. #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
or in a bit of a tight squeeze.
999 what’s your emergency? “The taxi seat belt’s too tight and has no leeway.” Advised her to speak to the taxi company #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
They’re a wittier bunch than they’re often given credit for.
A suspicious call about a male picking up pebbles – luckily the police are only a stones throw away… #ASP24
— ASPolice Bridgwater (@ASPBridgwater) July 22, 2015
Most police work isn’t a laugh of course.
Somerset Investigations (CID) dealing with 25 crimes today: threats to life, GBH, rape, burglary & various safeguarding matters #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
And officers have to deal with a variety of issues.
Something different every day…we’ve arrested a man near Yeovil for desertion from the Army. #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
But they keep themselves well prepared and equipped.
Some of personal protective equipment carried by #Police officers in #Bristol. #Taser, CS, Asp, cuffs, radio #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/Gqq3wgIDNZ
— Police SeanUnderwood (@sean_police) July 22, 2015
There were some interesting insights into some of the more unusual areas of the force.
Cleaning the kit we use to recover bodies in land #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/ep5qBLCWHC
— PS Nick Evans (@Nick_Police) July 22, 2015
Foot patrol of the highways and byways. Chatting to the dog walkers…avoiding the bulls in the cow field. Rural policing at its best
— ASPolice Radstock (@ASPRadstock) July 22, 2015
And insights into some of the more unusual issues that are dealt with everyday.
Man found with top off in middle of a road in Glastonbury saying he was ‘basking in positive energy’. Was told to find it off road #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Having a steady hand is vital in police work.
Cake decorating at Asda Filton #ASP24 #community – Georgia pic.twitter.com/xzN40AmwXN
— ASPFilton (@ASPFilton) July 22, 2015
Some cases are easier to solve than others.
Man reported missing in Bath – he has been found safe and well in his own bed #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Criminals come in all shapes and sizes.
Call from man wanting to report a seagull stealing his sandwich. Sometimes there are no words… #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
It’s not all black and white in policing, but when you’re dealing with badgers, it is. Listen: http://t.co/Rfb6ibnuVi #notoneforus #ASP24
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
They’re always alert, even when they’re on another case.
1/2 while officers were dealing with the earlier vehicle for no insurance the team stopped a male smelling strongly of cannabis #ASP24
— ASPWeston-super-Mare (@ASPWSM) July 22, 2015
2/2 the male had a quantity of green vegetable matter and tried to swallow what he said was drugs so taken to hospital for check up #ASP24
— ASPWeston-super-Mare (@ASPWSM) July 22, 2015
Overall it showed just how much the police deal with on a daily basis.
Final call breakdown from #ASP24. That’s a total of 3,119 emergency and non-emergency calls in 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/KbB0cfQBLD
— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015