Prisoners, Property and Prostitutes (32 page)

Had I been able to look ahead on the day I joined, and see how I would end up, how the journey was going to be, I wondered if I would have embarked on it. After a moment’s reflection the answer came – of course I would. I might not have enjoyed it all, but I could never have had those experiences both painful and pleasurable anywhere else.

If anyone tried to tell me some of the things that go on largely unseen in this crazy world, I would never have believed them if I hadn’t seen them for myself. My career choice may have been more or less accidental, but what an accident!

The next night was the last of our ‘nights’ week and the first part of the shift passed without incident, for which we were grateful. We spent a couple of hours driving round, stopping the
occasional car and listening to our personal radios for any call we might be sent to, but none came. It looked set to be a nice quiet end to the week.

A few miles to our north an unnamed man was finishing a pint in his local pub. He made to leave, and decided to buy a portion of chips to eat on the way home.

A few miles to our south, a terrified man dialled 999 to report his neighbour’s car stolen in a robbery.