Scoop

No, they last went through England in 1994 if I remember correctly. I was only a nipper but I remember going to watch them and catching the freebies from the caravan

They only started from London. Naturally the majority is across France. It also goes into Belgium I believe. Here is the route: http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/COURSE/us/le_tour_2007live.html

Robbie McEwan was amazing to take that first stage win despite all the dramas. Was a shame about the spectator who took out Mark Cavendish. That put him out of the running, would have been nice to see a Brit win on home turf. As you can probably tell, I'm not very clued up on the TDF but it was exciting. Just wish I could follow it this year

Is it any wonder when their stages are over 200km! Even if they are doped their bodies still got to take the punishment. Kinda like how top fuel dragsters dont run on 98 unleaded!

I thought God created all

If they're all doped at least its fair!

It's not often it comes to the UK but we had the first couple of stages locally and it was great. Not really publicised that well over here normally but because of the British stages its had some good coverage. All I can say is... what a race! Although I didn't appreciate standing at the side of the road for 10 hours just for what was probably no more than a minute of action as they rode past! I tip my hat to them. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji_XcHvJvac

It's not that rare, paticularly in rural areas.

So far so good. I have been laughing at all the twats standing outside restaurants and bars desperatly trying to get a nicotine fix. For me the funniest part is the cutody areas of all the police stations are deemed to be places of work so theres no smoking for any prisoners in the yard anymore as its enclosed! (for obvious reasons) Its an all round chuckle fest for me at the moment. One paticular pub in our area has been smoke free for a couple of years now and it's a breath of fresh air (pun intended) to be able to walk into a pub without a disgusting smokey atmosphere. I can imagine going clubbing being a lot more enjoyable now too in paticular. I hate it when you smell your clothes/hair in the morning after you been out

Lol, your career wouldn't last that long if you're thinking what I think you're thinking!

I guess your officers have more time on their hands than ours then! I like to think we still approach things with common sense.

What is weird is the suggestions. I would suggest handing it in to the police station. Explain you found it in your bag. They will seize it for disposal and that should be that. In the UK you have lawful excuse to possess such items, ie you seized it off your child and are going to hand it in or your a school teacher and found some in a locker. At least they can determine if it is real or not, but you will probably never know. Its good intel for the security people. As much as its prob just a wind up I strongly recommend you hand it in. There could be a known problem with that flight for example. By not handing it in and publicly showing everyone on the internet you stand more chance of getting in trouble as you've acknowledged your possible posession of a controlled substance but then failed to act on it. You should get rid of it at the earliest opportunity properly. I've had people hand me drugs, knives, guns, flares and all sorts of weird items. Not once have I considered taking action on the person giving me the item. What would be a good move is to call the local police station and tell them your coming up to hand it in before you go, then, just in case you are coincidentally stopped on the way to the police station you have covered your arse. There will be a record of your intention to surrender the package.

Of all the car bombs, suicide plots and attacks being made we seem to do well to keep stumbling across them. So many resources have been ploughed into anti terrorist efforts the last few years with the growth of special branch as an example. Whilst I am unsure that there is any deliberate effort to cover up the investigative process (although this would make sense) leading to the discovery of these its still a very strange coincidence. So much goes on behind the scenes at a furious rate just to keep the public safe its unbelievable. Well done, police, SB and whoever else may have been involved.

We need more police officers on the streets, simple as that. More fit, able police officers to allow a pro active as opposed to just reactive police response. As well as responding to 999 calls you need officers that check cars, trawl the industrial estates at nights, look out for those legs dangling through a window (every coppers wet dream) and stop/search known criminals. Physically unfit or lazy police officers who don't like to go and look for offences should be shoved behind a desk until they reach the required standard, then if they continue to fail kicked out the force (in my opinion) A good intelligence led pro active police force would solve so many issues. I don't care for peoples excuses or reasons why they commit crime, however if rehabilitation of some sort will help them than it should be considered in the first instance. For example drug addict burgles somewhere to get money to fund habbit, they should go to rehab the first time. If caught again or skip rehab... straight to prison, do not pass go. More prisons and more police officers..... if we had the money

This happens all round the world in every industry. Figures are always skewed and represented in a different manner to make things look better. The truth is the average person is more concerned about littering, dog shit on the pavement and gangs of kids than they are about being burgled or mugged. The goalposts keep moving and the police keep chasing them, of course rates will fluctuate to reflect this. Right now these goal posts focus on anti social behaviour. Most violent crime is youth on youth as opposed to violent behaviour on strangers so when you see how 'violent' our streets are its not a fair depection. I'm sick to death of being told how violent our streets are from someone who lives the otherside of the world when I walk them everyday and know exactly what crime has been reported in my area. If you couldn't drive you wouldn't try and teach someone else so why try and tell me whats happening in my own country? This thread also has fuck all to do with guns so stop bringing them up. I, for one, am glad that we live in a country where people are willing to stand toe to toe to defend themselves than shoot someone. You guys seem to forget there are ways to defend yourself without the use of a firearm. The only time you would need a firearm is when faced by either another firearm or dangerous weapon (sword, machete etc) - These incidents are EXTREMELY (and I can't stress that enough) RARE in the UK. Perhaps a testimony to the fact that not everyone is tooled up and therefore there is no need to carry weapons. (The old 'by arming a population you're forcing the criminals to arm too' debate)

Its no surprise that the standards for recording crime change year by year. The goalposts keep moving. My own personal belief from experience is violent crime has not increased. What we are ssing alot more of is playground antics being reported to the police and being dealt with as assaults instead of the school dealing with them in house. All this doom and gloom that you keep posting just isn't accurate. But all the while mugs like you are buying into it, they will continue to sell papers and as such will continue to make shit stories

I guess thats called survival of the fittest. With a shit load of luck too.

I'd love to be paid to do nothing but train while I was at work with professional instuctors.

I'm booked up now. Flights sorted. 20th-28th September. See you there!

You're probably right. I know when we changed from CS gas to PAVA type pepper spray everyone was hoping to be the first person to use it in the county, not neccesarily for the sake of it but out of curiosity to see what it would perform like. Of course this is different to rifles though, its pretty obvious what the effect of those would be. One thing I love about police work is when you get the genuine oppurtunity to help someone and be their hero for 5 minutes. I get more satisfaction out of busting in a door and rescuing an elderly person whos fallen and can't get up than dealing with crime. Shame they didn't recognsie it as an opportunity to help in this instance.

I know they have to be careful. All I can think of is they know something about that bloke that you don't. Like maybe he hides a secret army in his back pocket Thats all I could think would require that level of response. I know you guys love your guns but thats absolutely ridiculous. That call would have come to us as nothing more than a concern for welfare. They say the police are losing the ability to communicate with people. Looking at this situation I would have to agree!

Ye Olde Double-clutch action? Good times. Is that a dog box? They are good. Especially when you got all straight cut gears and you get that glorious transmission whine. I love that sound. Solid too. Just helps to ease the engine synchronisation with heal & toe on the downchange and doubling the clutch on the way up. I still hate automatics. Driving is an experience and a skill to do well and I find it most enjoyable when I'm the one in full control of everything. When I go out in my car now the first thing I do is turn all the ABS, traction control, ESP etc off.

Wow, what a silly response. Sometimes people just need a bit of help and it often falls on the police to give these people some support and push them in the right direction (ie professional care/treatment). Whatever happened to entering a situation on a low level. Quite why any police officer would EVER need fully automatic weapons EVER is beyond me.

Lol, I don't know with some people!

Yeah but it was the main tray that opened! Lol. I just can't believe complete strangers try to make out they are instructors to sound good yet clearly talk shit. How pathetic a life must they lead!?