Another "first memory" of the Police

For the inspiration behind this blog click here.

What a strange weekend it was. After posting my previous entry about my first memory of running into the Police, I encountered them again at the weekend. I was visiting my in-laws, with my husband, and whilst there, they were burgled. We were in the house at the time and didn't hear or see a thing but they got away with a handbag and a laptop. The sheer brass neck of it!

I then heard from David that he saw a celebrity at Gullan golf course. Always excited when I hear of a celebrity being "spotted" I was a bit gutted when it turned out to be Ronnie Corbet!

Over the course of the weekend I collected some more "firsts". I can't tell you how much I enjoy this. Listening to people talk about themselves and their memories of childhood or "firsts" that occured through their adult years. It's a lot of fun and above all most people enjoy sharing their stories.

So here's another first memory of the Police, from a former colleague of mine who was mortified at the memory!

Petrol payment

“Me? I'm a model citizen you know. Never even had a parking ticket! Am I sure? Well, there was this one time, but it was a pure accident really and doesn't count in my book……I was filling my car up with petrol at Safeway's. Its one of those pumps where you have the choice to pay at the pump or at the desk. I had chosen the pump. My mobile went when I was filling up and it turns out to be work. Asking some lengthy question on something or other. I was distracted. I finished the call in my car, still stationary at the petrol station I hasten to add – not driving and using the mobile!. Then drove off back to the office.

The police arrived at the office an hour or so later, asking at the front desk for me. News travels past in that place I can tell you. People knew that the Police were there looking for me.

It turns out, can you believe it, that I'd forgotten to pay the petrol bill, Safeway had taken my car registration and called the Police! I still can't quite believe the Police followed it up – I suppose it's theft legally, but surely there are more important crimes to fight. At some point I'm sure I'd have remember and would have driven back to the petrol station to explain and pay the bill. The Police were OK with me after I explained what had happened and there was no further action – other than the fact that I did return and pay the bill!”

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First incident with the police

For the inspiration behind this blog click here.

I thought I'd share my first encounter with the Police before I ask a few friends and colleagues if they have ever had a run in with the law. It would be good to get some input from students I think, I mean do the police still get called out to student parties that have gotten a bit out of control? Maybe I should consider the other angle - do students still have parties that get out of control or are they all sensible and adult now? Maybe its more "in" to have a dinner party? Nah, I don't believe that for a second do you? Will need to do some research amongst the student base in Edinburgh.

You know, I never had an incident with the Police until I was in my mid twenties. I never got pulled over in the car, or had the police round at a student party, nothing like that - does that make me weird or just straight-laced?

Anyway, I was having a house warming party around Easter time a few years ago. David doesn’t like theme parties but I managed to convince him that a theme would be a good idea.

I called it a “Jelly and Smarties” party. I made up whisky, gin and vodka jellies, and had packets of those boxes of smarties around in bowls. I made up sweetie bags for everyone to take away – like those you got at school parties. OK, at this point I will admit that not all the jellies set very well, but we had great fun eating them!

I’d invited people from work as well as our friends. The more the merrier type thing and people were more than welcome to bring their partners if they wanted. So there was a few people that were “partner’s” in the crowd.

About an hour into the party I answered a knock at the door. Standing in front of me was a huge, tall policeman. I was a bit gob-smacked because the party wasn’t even in full swing. "Damn neighbours" went through my head at the time.

The policeman said he was there to raid the place because he had been notified there was drugs in the flat. I was like “drugs? There’s no drugs here!” Oh no, but this was a “jelly and smarties” party according to him, so he wanted to get his hands on the culprits.

I turned scarlet and a bit weak at the knees. Then he caught my eye and started laughing his head off! It was a pure wind-up! He was the husband of one of my work-mates and I didn’t know it (I’d never met him or even knew she was married to a Policeman!). Apparently as soon as he’d seen the invite, he couldn’t resist.

You know, I hadn’t even thought at the time that the theme was controversial. I guess my mind doesn’t work on that wave-length. It turned out that a few people there had wondered about the theme themselves!