Ghosts In The Line Of Duty: Police / Policemen / Cops

[catseye]

“Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence…”

s.90 (2), Police Act 1996

maximus otter

I have a fluorescent overjacket that I wear when walking the dog sometimes on a cold night. Apparently it makes me look like a police officer from a distance, but I am definitely not impersonating one. M'lud.

 

[Carse]

I have a fluorescent overjacket that I wear when walking the dog sometimes on a cold night. Apparently it makes me look like a police officer from a distance, but I am definitely not impersonating one. M'lud.

Right, but how do you explain the handcuffs?

 

[Paul_Exeter]

I have a fluorescent overjacket that I wear when walking the dog sometimes on a cold night. Apparently it makes me look like a police officer from a distance, but I am definitely not impersonating one. M'lud.

My first car back in 1993 was a white Ford Escort Popular. I knew it was an ex-Police car that was used for local duties in North Devon, but was still surprised that when parking it under a streetlight at night, you could still see 'POLICE' written on the side (I guess the paint had faded around the lettering).

Incidentally, I was watching the news one night and during a report about a trial murder in North Devon they showed some archive footage of the Police parked outside a farmhouse, evidently the scene of the crime, and there was my car in its former, working 'life'

 

[MorningAngel]

My first car back in 1993 was a white Ford Escort Popular. I knew it was an ex-Police car that was used for local duties in North Devon, but was still surprised that when parking it under a streetlight at night, you could still see 'POLICE' written on the side (I guess the paint had faded around the lettering).

Incidentally, I was watching the news one night and during a report about a trial murder in North Devon they showed some archive footage of the Police parked outside a farmhouse, evidently the scene of the crime, and there was my car in its former, working 'life'

Wow. Added security measure

 

[Spookdaddy]

A story from the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border

Cops left stunned after 'ghost train' rumbles past police station

Police officers were left shocked after hearing the eerie sound of a 'ghost train' rumble by - on a railway line that no longer exists. The pair claimed to have even heard the sound of the train's horn in the incident on the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border.

Now the neighbourhood team are keen to hear from anyone who has come across the 'phantom train'. Staffordshire Live reports how PCs Joe Stafford and Whitney Holmes-Small were left spooked as they got ready to go out on patrol from Swadlincote police station on Civic Way.

The pair said they heard the sound of a locomotive getting closer to them as the leaves on the nearby trees started to blow. They then heard the sound of a train's horn - even though there are no rail lines for miles around.

So convinced they'd heard a train the cops decided to look into the history of the area - discovered a train line ran at the back of the police station many years ago.

A spokesman for the Swadlincote Police Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "PCs Joe Stafford and Whitney Holmes-Small were getting ready to go out in the yard at the police station when they suddenly heard a loud rumble. Looking at one another, they realised the sound was getting closer and were shocked when the leaves started to blow, and the air around them moved.

"They both realised that the sound of a long-lost train passing was obvious, and were slightly bewildered to hear the pip of the horn as the noise of the locomotive rolled off into the distance. Putting on their best detective hats, they decided to start making some enquiries, and were shocked and bemused by what they found.

"It turns out that a railway did indeed used to run at the back of the police station, with the old Swadlincote Railway Station existing where the fire station [also in Civic Way] now sits, subtle clues as to the area's past left in plain sight."

The officers discovered that the Midland Road Bridge used to be the crossing over the tracks, with the tunnel long since blocked up, and Lower Midland Road was the walkway down to the platforms. The roads were named after Midland Railway, which operated the line.

The police spokesman said: "We would love to hear if anyone else has had any spooky experiences of this phantom train, or know more about the long lost station, and would welcome pictures or stories from those who may have been alive when it was regularly used!"

They jokingly added: "The sergeant did test both for drink /drug driving and they passed."

Passenger trains stopped running through Swadlincote more than 70 years ago in 1947.

Link.

I'm not totally convinced. For a start, it's a little disingenuous to claim that 'there are no rail lines for miles around'. There's one line which, at its closest, appears to be around 2.3 km / 1.5 miles away from the peelers station. That's close enough for sound to carry - at least it is on a quiet night with the right weather conditions. I'm around 1.25 from a line that services the Tarmac quarries - at night, the sounds of the slow moving quarry freight can travel very long distances (the distant squeal and wail of iron on iron can be really quite eerie and atmospheric in the dark watches of a still night).

Still. As a story, it's got ghosts - and its got trains. Which I know will tick two boxes for some people here.

 

[MorningAngel]

You can hear trains from our house even though they aren’t railways close to us. But they don’t sound like they are that close like this implies.

 

[Spookdaddy]

You can hear trains from our house even though they aren’t railways close to us. But they don’t sound like they are that close like this implies.

For most of the time I cannot hear a peep from my local railway station (the passenger line, which is different to the freight line I mentioned in the earlier post). And then occasionally - generally at night during the summer - it can occasionally sound like it's the other side of the road. I think a lot depends on atmospheric conditions and other environmental noise. (I get the same with the beeping sound from a pedestrian crossing. The nearest crossing with an audible signal is almost a ten minute walk away; I can't hear it all generally, then - occasionally, it's as if it's outside the house.)

I suppose it's impossible to judge without knowing how familiar they were with the area, and how loud the sound appeared to be to them.

 

[escargot]

Vest isn’t the same thing in England and USA. In England it’s something you wear under your clothes to keep warm and in USA it’s a waistcoat.

Nope, 'vest' can certainly mean 'light waistcoat'. Companies call them that when they're issued as uniform.

 

[MorningAngel]

Nope, 'vest' can certainly mean 'light waistcoat'. Companies call them that when they're issued as uniform.

Actually I have since caught myself calling high vis one’s a vest, eek. They aren’t really fancy enough to call them a waist coat.

 

[Floyd]

A story from the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border



Link.

I'm not totally convinced. For a start, it's a little disingenuous to claim that 'there are no rail lines for miles around'. There's one line which, at its closest, appears to be around 2.3 km / 1.5 miles away from the peelers station. That's close enough for sound to carry - at least it is on a quiet night with the right weather conditions. I'm around 1.25 from a line that services the Tarmac quarries - at night, the sounds of the slow moving quarry freight can travel very long distances (the distant squeal and wail of iron on iron can be really quite eerie and atmospheric in the dark watches of a still night).

Still. As a story, it's got ghosts - and its got trains. Which I know will tick two boxes for some people here.

Many, many years ago Spook, I read an article about a ghost train heard running through Gt Longstone station.

 

[escargot]

Actually I have since caught myself calling high vis one’s a vest, eek. They aren’t really fancy enough to call them a waist coat.

I'm issued them regularly at work. They are summarily customised with extra pockets, key clips, pen holders etc.

Boss is used to me now.

 

[Ermintruder]

Hmm...

“Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force

.....(but not being a supermarket / shopping mall security guard, local authority parking attendant, medical first aid /animal cruelty voluntary aid society operative, debt recovery bailiff, private contractor prisoner transport officer, border force officer and various other rag-tag-togged lookee-likees....)

Because: just like the legislation north of the border, it all really hinges upon:

as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence

(I *hate* to think how much more seriously complicated the whole inferentially-disinformative uniformary situation must be in North America, beyond just the UK catch-all listing above: Copoids round every corner)

Well we often end up following what the Americans do

There is a statistical & etymological inevitability about this. USE (United States English/Universal Standard English) is always a slicker, simplified, reduced-vocabulary-set more-dynamic cool younger sibling version of Bringlish. Vive la difference, as they say south of Yorkshire (but give it time, and they'll all be talking Texan).

A bugbear of mine is calling British tv shows seasons.

If you're meaning the miscalling of television "series" as a 'season', then I'm totally with you. And I'll hold-up the other end of your placard on our march. But there will eventually just be you and me...because, like 'film' or 'photograph', everyone under 40 in the Anglosphere calls them movies and pics. We're on our walking frames in the departure lounge, along with our VHS tapes, Filofaxes and senses of humour.

This one is puzzling. A police man in glasses seen since the 60s.

The inferred evidence statements from the cops allegedly spotting a ghostly police officer that was so clear they could see the three pips of his Chief Inspector rank is intriguing. Whilst this might superficially-appear to be a clincher element of confirmatory detail, I cannot help but pedantically point-out that the low-res 'shade' ghost of a British & Commonwealth Marines or Army Captain would be indistinguishable from the uniform style & epaulette rank of a Chief Inspector.

Which actually raises within me a sudden horrifying Eureka moment of insight, that is both seminally-significant and substantially off-topic: where are the legions of military ghosts, generated in their millions from the slaughter of 1914-1945? Why is it that we tend to societally-see Roman legionaries and not the ghosts of brave long-dead uniformed Army Captains (and Corporals & all), poor Tommies getting back to Blighty just in spirit, and in final spite of the Kaiser?

 

[Spookdaddy]

Many, many years ago Spook, I read an article about a ghost train heard running through Gt Longstone station.

I've never heard the ghost train story myself (but I think there's a phantom horse and carriage, or maybe a spectral funeral cortege, associated with Great Longstone). The station building is now part of an outdoor pursuits organisation - and the old line is part of the Monsal Trail.

Great Longstone station was once renowned for being rescued (temporarily) from closure for the benefit of a single passenger. So, almost a ghost train, maybe:

 

[Floyd]

I've never heard the ghost train story myself (but I think there's a phantom horse and carriage, or maybe a spectral funeral cortege, associated with Great Longstone). The station building is now part of an outdoor pursuits organisation - and the old line is part of the Monsal Trail.

Yes, 12 headless men carrying an empty coffin just down the way, on the lane to Ashford.

Great Longstone station was once renowned for being rescued (temporarily) from closure for the benefit of a single passenger. So, almost a ghost train, maybe:

I've seen that video before. Very good.
I used to walk there most Sundays with my Grandad. He worked on the railway and at Thornbridge Hall.
I went to school with a lad who lived at that station. He had a remarkable resemblance to Colonel Gaddafi.......

 

[Frideswide]

Yes, 12 headless men carrying an empty coffin just down the way, on the lane to Ashford.

is the lid off?

 

[Floyd]

is the lid off?

Yes, it's an empty coffin and the story is that if you see the procession, you'll be in there.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

A story from the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border



Link.

I'm not totally convinced. For a start, it's a little disingenuous to claim that 'there are no rail lines for miles around'. There's one line which, at its closest, appears to be around 2.3 km / 1.5 miles away from the peelers station. That's close enough for sound to carry - at least it is on a quiet night with the right weather conditions. I'm around 1.25 from a line that services the Tarmac quarries - at night, the sounds of the slow moving quarry freight can travel very long distances (the distant squeal and wail of iron on iron can be really quite eerie and atmospheric in the dark watches of a still night).

Still. As a story, it's got ghosts - and its got trains. Which I know will tick two boxes for some people here.

Great find, thanks and have to agree with your thoughts. I used to hear the late night train passing through Umberleigh station (North Devon) from at least two miles away as the crow flies yet rarely hear it during the day. Also worth considering that heavy, locomotive-hauled engineering or freight train makes a lot more noise than a modern lightweight multiple-unit passenger train and the former run at night.

Some info on the old line:

http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/routes/swadlincote.html

One crucial element of the narrative is that they heard a 'pip' on the locomotive's horn. This line was closed to freight in the early-60s and may never have seen diesel locomotives, although it is possible. I will dod dome digging on railway sites....

Edit: as ever, I wasn't there and so I'm not about to dismiss their experience.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Edit:

The line mentioned above that runs close to Swadlincote is a freight-only line serving limestone quarries and carrying perhaps the heaviest loads on Britain's railways. There are several such lines in use that were former Midland Railway passenger lines and this video provide some insight:

Without any doubt these trains are noisy and would be heard at night from the police station.

 

[Spookdaddy]

Edit:

The line mentioned above that runs close to Swadlincote is a freight-only line serving limestone quarries and carrying perhaps the heaviest loads on Britain's railways. There are several such lines in use that were former Midland Railway passenger lines and this video provide some insight:

Without any doubt these trains are noisy and would be heard at night from the police station.

I did wonder if it might be quarry freight - there being a Tarmac depot just south of Swadlincote - and I suppose I shouldn't be at all surprised that it's actually the same line that I hear the sounds of quarry freight coming from (mentioned in post #95).

I'm up nearer the Hindlow end - and freight traffic would probably be most audible to me between18:44 - when it starts crossing the big viaduct, to around the 41:00 mark - with all the manoeuvring close to Buxton station adding to the time, and the potential for noise.

And I see my old school - now the library - is visible around 16:58.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

I wouldn't say "case closed" as none of us were there and there is a difference between hearing a train from a mile or so away and passing close to you and causing leaves to swirl etc. But the freight train needs to be considered, especially if there are further reports.

 

[Floyd]

I wouldn't say "case closed" as none of us were there and there is a difference between hearing a train from a mile or so away and passing close to you and causing leaves to swirl etc. But the freight train needs to be considered, especially if there are further reports.

Sound can be very strange.

If you stood on our back doorstep on a Saturday evening, you would swear blind that the loud music was coming from the gable end of the next row of houses just over the track from me.

It took me ages to realise that it's actually coming from a pub a mile away in town.

 

[SimonBurchell]

Sound can be very strange.

If you stood on our back doorstep on a Saturday evening, you would swear blind that the loud music was coming from the gable end of the next row of houses just over the track from me.

It took me ages to realise that it's actually coming from a pub a mile away in town.

Indeed. My flat is 140m from my local railway line, my mum's house is also 140m on the other side of the same railway line. There is a slight downhill gradient from my flat to the line, with a housing estate in the way - we hear nothing, even with the window open (although if there are heavy engineering works at night, we hear that). My mum lives 50m up a steep valley side, and the trains can be heard quite clearly, sometimes even overwhelming the sound of the TV (or at least it used to - she's gone a bit deaf, bless her, and the volume on her TV can probably now be picked up on seismometers in Madagascar).

 

[Floyd]

Indeed. My flat is 140m from my local railway line, my mum's house is also 140m on the other side of the same railway line. There is a slight downhill gradient from my flat to the line, with a housing estate in the way - we hear nothing, even with the window open (although if there are heavy engineering works at night, we hear that). My mum lives 50m up a steep valley side, and the trains can be heard quite clearly, sometimes even overwhelming the sound of the TV (or at least it used to - she's gone a bit deaf, bless her, and the volume on her TV can probably now be picked up on seismometers in Madagascar).

I often think it would be nice to be slightly deaf.
Constant slamming of car doors and dogs barking for hours on end make you start to think this way, unfortunately.

 

[catseye]

I often think it would be nice to be slightly deaf.
Constant slamming of car doors and dogs barking for hours on end make you start to think this way, unfortunately.

This is why I run audio books at night. It's not so much that they cover up the noise of barking dog or (in my case owls, the hooty bastards), but when your ears are listening intently to something, they sort of screen out extraneous background noise.

 

[Floyd]

This is why I run audio books at night. It's not so much that they cover up the noise of barking dog or (in my case owls, the hooty bastards), but when your ears are listening intently to something, they sort of screen out extraneous background noise.

Ah, well you see that doesn't work for me- although I admit that my concentration levels aren't the best in the world.
I find that I can still hear the offending noises and I just give up then.

I think I may have something wrong with me to be so bothered by noises from outside. It's only people that annoy me though. Hooty b'stards, cats yowling, trains and probably even the M6 wouldn't bother me (stop/start traffic does however).

Even a bit of Mötley Crüe can't drown it out completely.

I once had an hearing test and the guy doing it said in all the years he'd been testing people he'd never known anyone with such good hearing, so maybe this is part of the problem.
(That was a good while ago though).

 

[catseye]

Ah, well you see that doesn't work for me- although I admit that my concentration levels aren't the best in the world.
I find that I can still hear the offending noises and I just give up then.

I think I may have something wrong with me to be so bothered by noises from outside. It's only people that annoy me though. Hooty b'stards, cats yowling, trains and probably even the M6 wouldn't bother me (stop/start traffic does however).

Even a bit of Mötley Crüe can't drown it out completely.

I once had an hearing test and the guy doing it said in all the years he'd been testing people he'd never known anyone with such good hearing, so maybe this is part of the problem.
(That was a good while ago though).

Misophonia?

 

[Floyd]

Misophonia?

I suppose it could be. It gets me on edge for certain.

 

[MorningAngel]

I’d love to have my window open but I’m at the front of the house and quite a light sleeper, it’s not that busy around here but you just know they’ll be some noisy sod. It was lovely and quiet during lockdown I had it open then and you could hear church bells from half a mile away. I do like to go to sleep with some nature sounds (often rain) on my phone. I managed to record a lovely bird tweeting during the rain last week which I often use now.

Would white noise help block out noisy people?

 

[Sabresonic]

I’d love to have my window open but I’m at the front of the house and quite a light sleeper, it’s not that busy around here but you just know they’ll be some noisy sod. It was lovely and quiet during lockdown I had it open then and you could hear church bells from half a mile away. I do like to go to sleep with some nature sounds (often rain) on my phone. I managed to record a lovely bird tweeting during the rain last week which I often use now.

Would white noise help block out noisy people?

Posted something before but this is what I use when I'm having a few glasses of wine late anight and just want to listen to my thoughts with lights out.
https://www.youtube.com/live/zop9gbk8tjc?feature=share

 

[Mythopoeika]

Misophonia?

Pardon?