Wasn't Like It In My Day.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820780/Armed-teeth-firepower-face-policing-London-age-Islamic-terrorism.html

Ah the great British Bobby, a long way from the days of the compulsory truncheon, and whistle, handcuffs, notebook and cycle.

http://blogs.thisismoney.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c565553ef01156e3520f6970c-pi

[Zeuhl]

The policeman in the b&w picture is saying;

"alright lads, go into that house over there and there's the local MP, a Cabinet Minister and a County Councillor who want to give you some sweeties..."

[Gromit]

Dixon of Dock Green

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00223/115105_gad3_223566b.jpg

[shoota]

When I started out I too was issued with a truncheon (that I didn't usually carry) and a whistle that lived in my tunic pocket and was only ever used once.
When I became an 'authorised firearms officer' I carried a Smith and Wesson M10 that I drew twice but never fired.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/images/firearms/zoom_lg/150786_01_lg.jpg

[andy-hughes]

I remember when I was nine, Sargeant Adie, who lived in the police houses along the road from my parents' shop, caught me go-karting on our local 'cut-through' paths, and advised me about the dangers of knocking over someone when i came round the blind corner at speed.

When he caught me again a week later, he told me he would take my go-kart down to his police station and chop it up, and I could stand and watch.

The fear of that threat - plus the fact that he knew my parents - made sure I never karted there again!

Looking back, I know that his somewhat unorthadox approach (!) would not be allowed today, and I also know that his physical size would mean passing a medical would be highly unlikely!

It is a reminder of the times when children did as policemen told them, and a stern warning would stay in your mind for fifty-one years!!!

[ToraToraTora]

that's what they should do with cyclists on the pavement Andy!

[chaptazbru2]

When I was a kid, a policeman told me off for turning a corner on my bike and not indicating. I was petrified and felt like a criminal ! I never forgot again. How times have changed, cyclists now ride around on the pavements, have no lights on in the dark and are generally a law unto themselves !

[andy-hughes]

TTT - "that's what they should do with cyclists on the pavement Andy!"

I was too scared to run - I suspect modern youth would not be!!

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Dixon of Dock Green, Are you sure Gromit?

[sp1814]

That black and white picture makes me shudder.

I mean, people back in the 50s/60s were seriously poor - with what appears to little access to bathing facilities.

The 70s were shoddy, but I'm very pleased I didn't have to live through the 50s/60s - they look appalling.

[THECORBYLOON]

When WAS your day ANOTHEOLDGIT?

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// That black and white picture makes me shudder. I mean, people back in the 50s/60s were seriously poor - with what appears to little access to bathing facilities. ///

How can you tell all that from this one picture,

How do you know it was taken in the 50s/60s, it could have been the 30s/40s?

How can you tell they are poor? The kids are in their play clothes.

How do you know that they had little access to bathing facilities? The kids are out playing and in those days kids got dirty playing, but when they got in they were soon forced to strip and wash before donning their pyjamas.

[sandyRoe]

That picture is more likely to be from the 30s or 40s than from the 50/60s.
I used to go to a pitch and toss school where there could have been more than 100 people gambling. If the lookout shouted there was a Peeler coming everybody would run. That was a while ago and there did seem more respect for the police then.