A sign of the times

No Police Station for my Town on the edge of Dartmoor although there is a Neighbourhood Policing team consisting of an Inspector, Sergeant & 2 PCSOs covering a very large area. Nearest actual Police Station is about 12 miles away. Never seen a Police Officer on the street only occasional car passing through driving around

We do however still have a Fire Station

When I joined the Police 30 plus years ago regularly paraded 16 on shifts plus 3 sgts and a cell guard
Last week spoke to an ex colleague 7 on a night shift
Same large town , albeit now a central lock up
Historic enquiries with dead abusers , terrorism on the doorstep etc etc all absorb staff
Girls and boys in blue doing their best
Cutbacks hurt staff who join to do their best and the public who deserve the best

DS2 is in the police force. Where he is based they now cover 3 areas with fewer staff, so have little chance of getting to some of the calls, much as they’d like to.

Most of our smaller local stations are now closed. Our local police force will not now attend burglaries or shoplifting incidents as they say they do not have the manpower, but they can afford to release 33 police officers and several vehicles to support 20 security staff attending the felling of one tree being impeded by a small group of protesters. They need to get their priorities right. Even a local MP thought it was a totally ridiculous response and the Crime Commissioner is looking into it. I should bloody well think so!

I find it very strange that a warrant card and ID have not been missed by the owner as they have to be shown when conducting Police business surely.
Could they have been forgeries I wonder and your OH has saved them from getting into the wrong hands.

Back in the late 1950s we were surprised to have a visit from a policeman one evening - especially as our house was not easy to find. Reason for the visit? My father had forgotten to renew the dog licence (7s 6d).

Our local nick is now luxury flats. Police can be contacted at a table in Planet Organic! Only in opening hours, obvs.

It is a relief that your husband is a responsible man and not some scary guy who could have used the warrant card for very serious acts whilst impersonating an officer Mollie.
But it does seem to be a sign of the times that police officers are over stretched and under funded and it is to the publics detriment I'm afraid.
There is a drug smoker in my block of flats. It isn't confined to their flat, behind closed doors. His upstairs neighbours have small children. She has complained to the police but as he doesn't appear to be dealing they aren't bothered. The council say as there aren't any children in the druggies flat & the fact he owns his flat stops it being their problem so call the police. I have confronted this man in the communal area with a lit joint in his mouth and told him in no uncertain terms that he cannot do that. I haven't noticed the smell since but I don't live on his landing. I feel very sorry the neighbours. What are they meant to do when the law is clear that it's an illegal activity but the law are unwilling/unable due to staffing levels to address it???

This warrant card could’ve been lost ages ago, the officer concerned reported it missing and a new one has been issued. It could be a forgery which the police would know as the original hasn’t been reported missing or the name on it hadn’t been recognised. It would have a name on it and could be easily checked. Whatever the reason, for courtesy’s sake if nothing else, someone should have got back to your OH and offered an explanation. No excuses there at all.

I found one in the gutter about 10 years ago on my way to work. I phoned the nearest police station, their numbers were available then. The greatly relieved owner came to collect it later that day.

A friend works in courts as a civilian. Recently they've found themselves giving advice about court procedure to young police officers. Cuts mean that there is no one at their station with time to instruct them as they previously used to.

Why can't the government see what their cuts are doing to the police, the NHS, education, and other essential services? Millions are wasted while frontline services are cut.