66dcffb0

Cowardice, bravery and compassion. A poignant reminder.....London - July 2005.

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 16:03:16 GMT

7/7 The London Bombings - The documentary.........

About a year ago, I was approached by the BBC to take part in a four part documentary telling the story of the tragic events of July 2005 in London.

After having my fingers burned by the media on several occasions during my time as a police officer, I was cautious and reticent so arranged to meet one of the producers, Jim Nally in London before I made any sort of commitment to appearing on the programme.

As a former firearms officer and proud ex peeler I reflect on an 18 year firearms career with real positivity. I was lucky to work alongside so many consummate professionals in such a high pressured and challenging environment. Our story is rarely heard as circumstances often dictate anonymity.

I think the view of the public is often that firearms officers are simply police officers who are given guns. Reality is that this opinion is far from the truth. The training and operational experience combined with the character, mindset and personality of our specialist firearms officers is something we should be proud of and thankful for. Sadly it is always the very rare occasions when shots are fired by police that seem to be jettisoned into our newsfeeds searching for a scapegoat.

I was pleased that an anti-police narrative was not evident when I met Jim and his team, reassured that this was a factual account from those who were involved in those traumatic events across three weeks back in July 2005. Having now watched all four episodes of the BBC documentary, it was a compelling reminder of the very best and the very worst of humanity.

I sat in the interview chair in a cold warehouse over in Alperton for several hours. Whilst my recollections and subsequent account in episodes 3 and 4 brought back many personal memories of the whole period and particularly the tough events of 22nd, it was the powerful and often harrowing accounts in episodes 1 and 2 that reminded me of the response and incredible bravery of people who began 7th July dreaming of a home Olympics, and ended it with life changing cognitive and physical scars. Also a timely reminder to remember those poor souls who lost their lives on that fateful day and also the friends and family of Jean Charles De Menezes. I haven’t met the family, but they are often in my thoughts I feel so so sad for them. I struggle to comprehend what it must be like to lose a son in such circumstances. I don’t know what I’d be able to say that would make the situation any easier for them. A terrible tragedy where a complex and unique catalogue of events contributed to such an awful outcome, but their loss is never forgotten.

The palpable feeling of fear on our transport system through that period is impossible to replicate, the way that the London community came together is a stark reminder of what we can achieve together as human beings. It feels a long way away from the divisive culture that seems evident on our streets today.

I often talk openly of the events in the tube that day (22nd).

I remain in touch with many of my former CO19 colleagues, they are some of the most professional men and women I have been fortunate to work alongside in a 40 year career on high performing teams.

These include the two principal officers who were in the carriage on 22nd July. For the other team members that day, London's biggest manhunt continued, it isn't common knowledge, but the majority of team involved at Stockwell were employed on subsequent operations to detain the bombers. It says much about the resilience of the specialist firearms officers who were deployed across that period.

The public never see the human side of the role as a firearms officer. We are all human beings with the same emotions, the same feelings. We experience trauma like everyone else and many need the requisite care and support, often from peers and colleagues. There is very much a sense of family amongst the police firearms family.

I am also often asked why I talk openly open about those times.

My head was above the parapet in the media following an article in the run up to the London Olympics. I’ve always been very open and honest about my peripheral role in the incident, this includes my colleagues at GB Hockey and the British Olympic Association. I was unable to travel with our Olympic Mens hockey team to the Rio Olympics, a correct decision at the time, but personally very frustrating.

The events of July 2005 were unprecedented. Along with the rest of the emergency services we were doing our very best to protect the public, running towards danger not away from it. I fully understood the sensitivity in Brazil following the tragic events of 22nd July and agree that it was probably the right decision not to travel to Rio. I feel very strongly that the response to these sorts of events needs to be restorative. In other words an approach that seeks to ensure that this sort of incident doesn't happen again. My mindset has always been how can I use the experience of this tragic incident to learn and support others. There are so many lessons that can be learned about how teams and organisations operate, not just in firearms operations.

I'd highly recommend 7/7 The London Bombings. It is available on BBC Iplayer.

Indoor Hockey in the UK. How much longer can we keep treading water?

PH466187 — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:45:34 GMT

We should play more of this! Every year we have the debate..........

Can we make it happen or are we happy with what we have?

If I had a pound for every "we must play more indoor hockey" conversation I'd had every year in November, December and January, I'd be a pretty rich man! I'm known across hockey circles here and abroad for my love and enthusiasm for the indoor game.

My thoughts below are backed up with experience across over 40 years in indoor hockey. I'm certainly not looking to simply 'swing the lamp' about the good old days! I understand the here and now and the struggles to develop any sort of infrastructure for indoor hockey in the 2020s.

As a player, I won eight National titles with my club St Albans, captained England and coached our National Indoor squads until 2018 when England withdrew from international competition. (I'll leave the debate about England and whether we should play international indoor hockey for another time, but it is pleasing to still see our officials and NPUA umpires appointed to international competition.)

I look forward with passion to every indoor season. I'm fortunate that I can still support the game adding colour commentary to events streamed both at home and abroad. I am excited about working on the commentary team at the indoor World Cup in Croatia in February.

There is a sense of personal frustration around how we underplay a version of our game that is such a great sharpener and developer for the outdoor version.

Even if we play technical outdoor hockey indoors, there is still a place for the game through the winter months.

At domestic level, our schools indoor competitions have just finished. Our club competitions are in regional qualifying stages and the National Indoor leagues will start in January culminating in 'hockey's big day in' where National titles and European qualification will be decided. The event sold out last year in Derby and continues to be a popular perennial event in the domestic hockey calendar.

So where are we with this exciting 6 aside version of the sport we all love? And what has prompted me to blog about this in 2024?

Well I've just returned from a trip to Belgium with Framlingham College Boys 1st XI. A 'pre season' trip ahead of the Boys outdoor hockey term that starts in January. Yes, an outdoor trip. Hockey in Belgium continues to thrive, both at club and international level. We arrived as they enter the second month of their indoor season. There were certainly a few raised eyebrows when they learned that we were over there looking to play outdoor hockey in December.

Outdoor hockey in Europe closes down from November through to February.

In Germany, Austria, Poland and other countries in Eastern Europe, thanks to Handball, an indoor hockey infrastructure already exists. With most gyms, schools, leisure centres and clubs having ready made indoor pitches. (The indoor game began in the cold winters in Germany when Handball courts were used for the first version of indoor hockey.)

In the UK we don't have those facilities. I know that in the 2020s it is a struggle for England Hockey to find venues for its indoor competitions and for clubs, finding halls for practice ahead of the indoor league season is almost impossible.

The halls that do have space are looking for block bookings rather than one offs. Leisure centres don't have equipment for indoor hockey, goals and particularly boards are scarce. Add to that the requisite space needed and the fact they will only be used for a month or two every year then it is no wonder that using leisure centres for indoor hockey is on the wane. So it seems that we are relying on schools ,universities and the facilities at Polo Farm, Canterbury HC. (Repton and Whitgift schools will be once again hosting our National League Premier Divisions in 2025.)

Will Davey and his team at Indoor Hockey UK continue to organise and run very well supported events across the year, mainly for youngsters, but also the highly successful World Masters competition at the David Ross Sports centre at Nottingham University. This venue will also be hosting the annual indoor hockey UK event between Christmas and New Year. (the venue can put four indoor pitches side by side at one time!)

I'm afraid indoor hockey in the UK will continue in a very slow decline unless we find a way to reinvigorate the sport.

Back to our Belgian trip. In Belgium, many clubs have developed a positive culture for indoor hockey through the winter.

Until around seven or eight years ago, they too found it difficult to provide facilities, but have come up with a solution.

We visited both Waterloo Ducks and Royal Leopold, two successful clubs in suburban South Brussels.

Both have erected marquees for the duration of the winter enabling indoor hockey for all.

I've added some detail of both below.

Whilst this is not a cheap solution, it creates the option of playing hockey through the winter months without the need to find facilities.

Having viewed both facilities, they would be suitable for our National League events and would give youngsters opportunity to play hockey across the colder months.

The solution is not cheap:

25k-30k euros for the season for marquee hire.

Heating costs to be added. (oil plus the system)

Pitch hire added (although Was Ducks have bought one of the pitches from Stilmat, they hire the other, the one they own is stored by stilmat.)

Cost of boards.

Those club members that play indoor pay extra subscription for use of the tent. .

Clubs have sponsors who support the facility financially.

Please have a look at the videos below.

It seems we are definitely at a crossroads with our indoor hockey .

Is there the desire from within the hockey community at club level to play more if we created the infrastructure?

Can we shift the outdoor season to accommodate indoor? In the regional outdoor leagues, competition resumes on Saturday 11th January!

If we had the infrastructure, could we move school indoor to January? (where it used to be and in my opinion should be played.)

The answer for me lies in whether or not we can create venues similar top those in Belgium.

I also believe in the great quote from the film, 'Field of Dreams' "If you build it they will come". If the facilities are there, people will play and will once again be attracted to indoor.

I'm a passionate indoor hockey badger! After so many great years enjoying the sport can we take a step forward?

Are these viable options for English clubs?

The finance is a big barrier, but what an opportunity to play through winter.

Otherwise, sadly, the decline will continue.

Royal Leopold

Royal Leopold, a large hockey, padel and tennis club have added a single marquee across tennis courts at the front of their clubhouse. You'll see they have added a simple sectioned area using wooden pallets at the side of the pitch for team benches and a technical area.

The pitch is a fairly standard handball sized court.

The floor is made by a company called Stilmat. Originally, an 'inline hockey' accessory, the run of the ball and performance of the slightly sprung floor is excellent for indoor hockey. The floor can be hired or bought. The lighting system is also hired.

The hall is heated using an oil fired heating system with tank outside the tent.

The whole operation to install takes around three days.

Once up there is no restriction on hours and the facility is used by all club members from the youth hockey section up to the first teams.

Waterloo Ducks HC

Waterloo Ducks have a slightly more expansive set up with two pitches either side of a social astroturf area with a bar and seating.

Provisionally, the marquee is the same as the Leopold version with additional side supports for adverse weather conditions, particularly wind. Large concrete blocks have been added around the outside.

Both pitches are the same size.

A bar area is set up in the centre with a fully operational bar and food service. (the main clubhouse is closed)

The heating system is bigger, again, oil fired with tanks situated around the outside of the tent. The marquee is situated on the astroturf pitch outside the clubhouse occupying half of the pitch.

See the videos below.

Martyn Blake- why do we throw our best under the bus? .............................. Isn't it time to support those who put their lives on the line to protect us all?

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:54:33 GMT

Martyn Blake's acquittal at the Old Bailey was a right and just decision. It was staggering that he found himself gripping the rail at The Old Bailey for doing his job. Upholding the law, making the correct decision in defending colleagues whose lives were in imminent danger. All supported by body worn camera footage clearly showing the threat that he and colleagues faced on that night back in September 2022.

Along with many friends and former colleagues, I felt a sense of palpable relief as the jury returned a not guilty verdict on Monday.

The story dominated the domestic news across Tuesday and Wednesday.

The implications of a guilty verdict would have seen grave implications and serious soul searching for any of our Police officers (all volunteers) who choose to carry a firearm to serve and protect the public.

I think its important to steer clear of any of the well publicised political and racist implications of this incident and judge it as the jury have done, for what it is, a conflictual resolution where appropriate force has been used by police when confronted with a lethal threat. Whilst many will rightly say that firearms officers are called on to make complex pressurised decisions, the appropriate use of force here is clear and unambiguous.

The media has been saturated with opinion on what should and shouldn't have happened. There are very few who have ever carried a firearm and if they have, been in involved in regular conflictual situations demanding accurate and proportionate decision making.. Many so called experts in their field, some for personal gain, others keen to deliver a political message or alleging a racist slant. For many of these experts, hindsight is a wonderful thing. It's very easy to judge after much reflection in comfortable surroundings on a computer. (A luxury that was not afforded to Martyn Blake as he made his split second decision on that September night in 2022.)

As somebody who served 18 years with SO19 I have watched and read in disbelief, some of the theories. Particularly journalists who have used this statement "He was unarmed!" He was actually armed with a 2 ton Audi and was trying to run down police officers! There are many villains who arm themselves with a variety of lethal weapons that are not guns!

I will not mention the antecedence of the person shot by police. Suffice to say that many high profile personalities may wish to revisit social media posts and statements that were made previously. I have managed to dismiss the unqualified rhetoric and have instead been reminded that I am one of the 'good guys' by the excellent opinion in the media of my friend and former colleague Tony Long. A highly experienced and skilled specialist firearms officer, his calm and controlled temperament in both interview and in the written word is something I would urge you to seek if you want a balanced and informed view of life as a firearms officer and of the case itself. Like Martyn Blake, he has too has experienced going to trial and being acquitted of murder at the Central Criminal Court.

As a former firearms officer, this case has jogged the memories of initial firearms training back in 1987. The Met Police firearms training facility was in Lippitts Hill, a former 2nd World war POW camp in a rural setting in Epping Forest. I vividly remember the two week tactical and shooting course. (we were trained on the Model 10 Smith and Wesson revolver) From my first experience I was struck by the professionalism of the instructors.

The capacity to be able deal with the sort of situation that Martyn Blake faced starts a long time before firearms training. Conflict resolution is a skill that every police officer develops as soon as he or she steps out onto the streets and is exposed to the public. No situation is the same. In the early days, inexperience plays a part, you don't always make the right judgement, error was natural and was normally followed by a debriefing with a 'parent constable'. You learnt day to day and gained experience on the job, underpinning the skill acquisition for making pressurised decisions, using an appropriate and proportionate level of force. The scenarios on the firearms course develop that skill and then operational firearms experience enhances it. With the addition of many scenarios demanding assessment and varying levels of force in both training and on firearms operations, the skill level is high and maintained.

The officers who are deployed on Armed Response Vehicles aren't just cops who have been given guns, these are highly trained officers, the cream of the crop.

The media coverage that this incident has seen and some of the rhetoric might suggest that our firearm officers are trigger happy and that shots are regularly fired on police firearm operations, Far from it, there are very few instances where shots are fired by police. Roughly 18,000 firearms operations per year since 2011 and only 83 fatal police shootings in the UK in the last 34 years. (just under 2.5 per year.) We never hear of the thousands of occasions where resolution is achieved through negotiation, skill and correct tactical deployment.

I have never met Martyn Blake, but have spoken to colleagues that know him and work with him who describe him unanimously as being incredibly professional.

For years, those in the know have been campaigning for more support for firearms officers. It's fallen on deaf ears until events have brought it to a head, too late! The support Martyn has received from management is frankly too little too late. Where was the support through this two year ordeal? Who fought to maintain his anonymity aside from his peers? The government announcement granting anonymity for firearms officers has come too late for Martyn who will be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life...........

It is incredulous and extremely worrying that he was named and has received death threats following his acquittal.

The time has come to support those who volunteer to run towards the danger to serve and protect us rather than throw them to the Lions for doing their job!

Andy Halliday served in the Metropolitan Police from 1980 - 2010. From 1992 until his retirement, He was a Firearms Officer in SO19. Initially crewing London's armed response vehicles and from 1995 as a specialist firearms officer and instructor. He served alongside some of the most professional, talented and conscientious individuals you could meet in any walk of life. Like minded souls who had successfully navigated a rigorous physical and cognitive selection process.