I picked up just after a Christmas period 3 guys in the early/late hours, if I remember correctly around 5.30 ish a.m ( the time I think would be relevant to what the police did or did not have on). The three guys were suited and going to a very affluent area in the City, and as such I felt that there was no need to ask for money up front. We get to the destination and then you hear the rumblings of person (1) to his mates " I have got no money" and person (2) I have only got £1.60, this for a fare of £8.60 ish, the 3rd guy is also struggling but says I will have to go into the house ( value in excess of 450/500K) after his mates who have already gone inside to see if he can get some money from them.

The door closes, it is raining heavily so I am not alarmed. After about 5 mins I am thinking someone is taking the pi$$, so I knock the door, and knock, and knock, and knock at various intervals. It becomes pretty obvious that they have no intention of answering, and by now I am livid that the trust that I gave them has been thrown back in my face.

Believe me when I tell you that it was not about the money (but I do believe that petty crime should be nipped in the bud).I am absolutely tamping and dialed 101 explaining what had happened, and was put in touch with a police center.

A police car turns up with one male officer and one female officer, they go all around the property knocking doors and windows at the same time saying "police open up". By now we are all pretty wet and they both go into a con-flab discussing who is available and who has the "ram" (that is not a sheep joke). They radio out for this other officer, and in the meantime a police high sided box sling them in van turns up, with two other officers.

A few minutes later another small type of van (dog size) turns up ( 5 officers in total), and one says have you got the ram, the bottom line being is that they are going to smash the door in. By now a few including myself are thinking that this is a bit over the top, but the one younger officer is insistent and says to his colleagues " You can all witness one another that I took the decision".

The bottom line being they smashed the door in with minimal damage, entered the house and apprehended the occupants with one kicking off, I heard one officer call for assistance but they (the officers) were alright.

One of the occupants was escorted to a cash point and I duly ended up with a tenner for what by now was over £22 on the meter + the loss of an hour of premium time work.

It never went to court as I suspect no one wanted to explain a damaged door and a stack of paper work. That to me was old fashioned policing that got a result that would have probably set back the bilker somewhere in the region of £100 plus to repair the door + a hangover + I will never do that again.

I went home with not as much in my pocket as I should have had, but a bloody big smile made up for it.

Arrest after taxi drop off

THE police helicopter was scrambled in Kirk Hallam to help trace a man who allegedly made off without paying his taxi fare. Police were called to Wirksworth Road on Wednesday September 7 just before 11pm after a taxi driver reported a passenger for not paying.

A passing police patrol car stopped after the taxi driver flagged it down and officers found a man hiding in a garden. As he was being arrested he allegedly assaulted one of the officers and ran off.

The force helicopter was scrambled to help officers find the suspect. A 26-year-old man, from Eastwood, was subsequently arrested. He is due to appear before Magistrates on Friday October 14, charged with not paying for his taxi.