I happened to be at Bromley South station just now, unknown to me Bromley had just played Barrow (2-1). Around two dozen Barrow teenage herberts arrived at the station in a revved up state, to be met by a token OB presence. Words were exchanged, and one mouthy 14 year old was nicked, put in handcuffs behind his back, and sat on the floor. The two competing to appear tough and arrest him were both WPC’s, and both looked about 21 (years old, and stones in weight ). Both eager to compete for their first soft target arrest, and the 4 hours overtime that would be needed for the paperwork to keep this kid overnight in London tonight. At this point his pubescent mates began to object, emboldened by half a can of Tennants on the walk back, and the reaction was a sight to behold. I genuinely fear for the standard of policing in London - all shapes & sizes recruitment has unsurprisingly led to a total loss of respect.
PCSO's fast tracked and not knowing what day of the week it is. Aside from this the general standards and respect plod have for the public is shocking.
In the 70s & 80s the police (who were often ex Armed Forces hard men) used to deal with such incidents with a clip round the ear, and a few words of not so friendly advice. I saw it happen many times. Nowadays 21 stone Penelope needs 3 police men to help her get a 14 year old kid into handcuffs, so she can gleefully fill out 4 hours of needless paperwork on overtime. The kid’s parents will probably be sent on a Parenting Course as well.
It’s not just the state of the Met it is the state of the Feral kids of all colours. A youth was stabbed last night just down the road from me at Belvedere station at 5-45 pm. The Police have lost control of the streets.
Terrible, although Belvedere has never been the best of areas. Without being political, the day a certain politician ended the height, fitness & strength criteria for the Met was the day that institution began to curl up and die. You simply cannot have some of these people in a uniform. Nobody respects them.
Being a Policeman/ Woman policing the streets is a very physical job. They need to be strong and fit. It is ok for the clerical side of things but not otherwise.
My friend is a retired Chief Inspector and he said that the Police Force has changed beyond recognition through the years and not for the better. He was pleased to retire when he did.
Back in the 80s the Met used to have what they called “desk jockeys” ..the handful in each station who were not up to it but were kept back in the station for their own good. Nowadays ….
I got turned down in 2022 because of my heart condition, thus failing the medical. They were going to accept me otherwise.
Yeh, you would have sailed in to the modern day Met. Despite the fact you are 4’8 and haven’t got the strength to pull a ring pull on a can of Coke. #InspectorElfs
