User Reviews

Defended the bailing out of banks in '08 or voted for tax cuts, again and again? This is what you've done, take the credit, you deserve it. Falling police numbers, rising crime, local government services slashed beyond any practical use result in the daily grind that is forcing good coppers out of the job because they just can't cope anymore. They can earn more for a lot less stress and decent hours, they can see their kids again, every day, so why bother in such a thankless job? We see serious crime with not enough officers to do a decent job of sorting it out to the daily, petty family squabbles that tie up valuable resources. We see the police trying to talk people out of suicide because the mental health services just aren't there anymore. What we really see is how selfish and uncaring the great British public have become. 'Austerity? It doesn't affect me, I'm going with my family to Spain this year'. The greatest robbery we saw in our lifetime was the bank bailout, $trillions world wide without a single charge being brought. Some of the instigators even achieved high office in various western governments, I kid you not. Not an investigation, warrant or charge in sight. Ronnie Biggs would be proud of such a perfect caper, the score of the century.

What we're given is a no holds barred, honest and sometimes emotional reality check of what it means on the front line. The police aren't political creatures, the British Bobby is famously reserved. But now, finally, they're speaking out. Something has to change. I was left without any doubt about the dedication of the average copper and what motivates them. And it made me so angry. How could this happen? Uncaring, selfish people, social deprivation not seen since the 1930's and rich, bubble wrapped politicians (probably blaming immigration), that's how.

Staffordshire is an average county, not that rich, not that poor compared to some. But the last ten years have taken their toll. Once thriving business' closed or moved to China (because the share holders don't live in Stoke) have had a devastating effect on the local economy. Of course crime was going to rise as a result, but then the perfect storm was created by cutting front line policing by half at the same time. There are some very candid moments and what can only be called honest assessments by those that know more than most because they deal with it every day. They should be heeded. But they're not. Shame on us.

There's a review on here that called this show 'propaganda', really? Wait til you're mugged or burgled. But don't you dare get angry that it took the cops 2 days to come and take your statement and tell you that there's only a 5% chance of solving the crime. I have no doubt about which way you vote. You did this, not the cops.

One the most honest and down to earth police docu-series I have ever seen. Reflects the hard reality of the thankless task of policing the city of Stoke-on-Trent and really lets the public see the people behind the uniforms. Fascinating and well worth a watch.

Scandalously under-resourced cops shown dealing with the day to day with resilience, professionalism, commitment and surprisingly good humour given the crumminess of some of the people that come their way. I agree with Mr Lewis (So Angry), they're left with sweeping up the pieces left over from years of austerity in a hollowed out society. Unlike another reviewer I didn't see a morale problem--cops tend not to be wide-eyed optimists--just well-trained officers getting on with the job and showing considerable initiative and teamwork in finding ways to do more with less. The production, well up to documentary standards, put us, voters and taxpayers, squarely in the picture to see what we're paying for, and, importantly, showed us the ordinariness of a working environment in which, paradoxically (and perhaps addictively), no two days are ever quite the same. I see a review claiming "propaganda". For what?

This programme really makes me quite confused.

There is obviously a problem in Stoke within the police force, so many officers moaning about doing their job, its grim to watch.

Maybe those at the top should try & change things.

Do we really need to see more traffic cops, because they want to enjoy a high speed chase or pull people over for their own enjoyment.

Times have changed, maybe cops should be trained properly & be told exactly what their job description is before they commit to the role of a police officer.

Although the programme is real as such, it's clear there is a problem, Motivation is minimal.

I found the direction and camera work captivating, content insightful (my assumptions corrected and eyes opened) however, I found it very white washed and one sided and not a real representation of the diversity of Stoke on Trent's police force or stoke on Trent. My issue with the show is about inclusion and not a matter of race. Throughout history, non-white accomplishments and achievements have been pushed aside and whites celebrated, causing everyone (especially non-whites) to have an inaccurate depiction and view of things, sadly this has been demonstrated in cops like us. Again, this is not about race but about being fair, having equal representation and giving a true and familiar message to and for the community that all should be celebrated. This is were the program failed, failed us as humans and only helped show white privilege to help further increase the racial divide here in stoke. We are what we are fed You expect a program form the bbc to be more neutral and well-rounded especially when presenting to and for a town struggling with its cultural integration, so why is it only one face was represented. With such strong Asian, Afro Caribbean, African and Multi mixture mixed race constituents, plus success stories of people turning their lives around within these groups, it advised everyone there was no one like them they can identify with or aspire to be like, that stoke was only for white (officers) disgusting. So to ONLY see one section of the population represented and celebrated, that's not just a lie but helping to strength the already huge divide in Stoke. Another angle is, much in the documentary was voiced about the lawlessness due to the lack of police yet none of the kids spoken of had anyone to identify with. Where were the stories of getting out and making it in the police (white or otherwise), where was the stories of helping eradicate the stigma brought with the police to help encourage these kids to turn their lives around and maybe join the police who are there to help and protect them in a non biased way......no wait ....you couldn't do that because the stigma and bad representation of the police lays predominantly with white officers..... I'd like to believe neither the bbc or production company are racist and so I would hope going forward there will be better conversations about looking at things with different eyes. We are proud of our entire police force and what they do and just want a fair report of them for us and the community and the officers.