“Cop Shop” Trip – 9th November 2006 – By Megan Claridge

When I went to see the Police Station at Orpington, we were allowed to see the cells.  They all had metal doors!  There was no loo roll as sometimes silly people eat it, hoping to go to hospital and it would be easier for them to escape!  The people in the cells have to ask for toilet paper.  There was also no wash basin.  They had a mirror up high so that police can see what they were doing when using the toilet.  For beds they have a wooden bed with a blue plastic mattress and a pillow.  They are also given a rug.  The prisoners are given a white suit to change into and all jewellery is taken away from them whilst they are there.  They are allowed one meal and two snacks a day.  The snacks are tea and coffee.  You can be held in Police Custody for 24 hours.

Next we headed for the 999 Control Centre.  On the way we saw a finger printing machine.  It was quite large.  Next to it was a DNA machine.  The lady said that they had arrested a woman for drink driving and took her DNA by rubbing a very soft thing like a cotton bud on the inside of her cheek.  They found out that she was related to a rapist off 25 years ago and were able to catch him because of it.  Amazing!  In the Control Centre we had to be very quiet.  Orpington is one of the few remaining stations that have a 999 Centre.  We heard a man talk about a car theft.  Lots of calls were being taken, but they are taken by civilians.  There were photos on the wall of criminals.  These photos are nicknamed “Mug Shots”.  All the “Mug Shots” were of men!!!

Orpington Police Station is part of the Metropolitan Police.  The Metropolitan Police started 177 years ago.  They employ 100,000 people and 47,000 of these are police officers.  12000 people have been arrested by Lewisham Police Station so far this year.

Cadets are young people who want to learn more about the police.  You can register for a place as a cadet at age 12, and be one from age 14-19.  Some people become Special Police Constables.  To be one of these you must be an adult.  It is a voluntary job so you do not get paid for it.

I enjoyed my trip to Orpington Police Station very much.

(The history of the Metropolitan Police can be found at www.met.police.uk/history)

“Cop Shop” Trip – 9th November 2006 – By Henry Scott

We went to the Police Station.  We saw the cells.  There was no loo roll as they might eat the loo roll and have to go to hospital where they could get away easier.  They had a reflective mirror so they could see the prisoner on the toilet. You get put in a white tracksuit.  You get two snacks and one meal a day.

We saw the 999 Control Room. 

12000 people have been arrested this year in Lewisham.