In this episode of Inside the Force: 24/7, the focus is on the rising number of assaults on police officers in Cleveland, which has almost doubled in the last five years. The episode follows officers in Middlesbrough as they respond to urgent calls and navigate challenging situations.
The episode, airing on Channel 5 on Monday 15 April, begins with an emergency call about a man brandishing a nine-inch serrated sword in a housing estate. The man barricades himself in his home, allegedly naked, leading to a tense standoff with armed officers. The suspect is eventually coaxed off the roof and into custody.
Meanwhile, PCs Tash Nicholls and Katie Armstrong embark on their night shift, receiving a report of a potential armed burglary in progress. As they race to the scene, they discover the suspect is on a crime spree, attempting to break into multiple houses while wearing a Halloween mask. A search involving surveillance footage and a flood of officers aims to apprehend the suspect.
Elsewhere, PCs Charlotte Carney and Brian McClaren respond to a distressing 999 call from a pizza delivery driver who was allegedly threatened with a knife. They swiftly go to the provided address with a dog unit but are unable to locate the suspect. Their persistence pays off as they track him to another address and make an arrest.
The episode also highlights an incident where a hotel guest is robbed in his room by two men, one of whom he suspects may have drugged his drink. PCs Tayla Singleton and Ben Burgess arrest one of the suspects, despite his protests of innocence, based on social media connections between the suspect and the victim.
The show offers an immersive experience, providing an unfiltered look into the daily challenges faced by officers in Middlesbrough, one of Cleveland’s busiest stations.
Inside the Force: 24/7 airs on Channel 5 at 9:00 pm on Monday, 15 April 2024.
