On Saturday 24 September Coleshill Police Station hosted the 2005 Family Fun Day. The event, organised by Sergeant Ron Drake, attracted a large number of visitors. The sun shone as representatives from the three emergency services were joined by organisations such as Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch to promote their work to the local community (and to have some fun along the way…).

Warwickshire Police got into the spirit of the day with Coleshill Station Inspector Glen Belcher taking a turn in the stocks where colleagues and members of the public lined up to throw wet sponges at him. Later in the day, the North Warwickshire District Commander was subjected to a serious drenching with the smiling approval of ACC Andy Parker. Members of the public (and police officers!) appeared to enjoy the spectacle!

A popular attraction was the chance for a ride in a police car. Police vehicles were also available for kids to sit in and pretend to be police officers. Under a marquee in the police yard, you could find a tired PC Mark Rowlatt, having done many circuits of the yard pushing would be young traffic cops around on the toy bike.

There was also the chance for people to test their skills on the virtual firing range which was a great success judging by the queues of people waiting. This gave Steve Probert, Crimestoppers Co-ordinator, a captive audience to talk to about the benefits of Crimestoppers. There was also Road Safety information and the Forensic Science stall where children could take a look through microscopes and could have their fingerprints taken to keep as a unique souvenir key-ring.

The ambulance service had a vehicle for children to explore and a colouring competition. They also took part in a number of live action displays of the emergency services, rescuing ‘victims’ of a road accident.

The fire service also put on a good show, demonstrating the effects of a burning chip pan and what you should and should not do. The crowd gasped with shock when they witnessed the explosive effect of pouring a small amount of water over the burning chip pan.

Co-operation between the three emergency services was well demonstrated by a series of live action scenarios. The police stopped a thief in a stolen vehicle. The suspect abandoned the vehicle in full view of hundreds of witnesses and then ran off only to be chased by two officers who caught, arrested and took the offender back to the station to be processed.

After this excitement, the crowd then witnessed the fire and ambulance services working together to rescue two people who had been involved in a road accident. The car was quite literally a wreck. The fire and ambulance services were called to the incident where they arrived in record time. The ambulance crews tended to the two victims – one was escorted out of the wreck the other had to be cut out. The fire crew then cut the roof off the wreck so that the ambulance crew could get a spinal board under the victim so that they could extract her from the car.

But then came a cry from a damsel in distress from high above. There was a fire below her and the fire crew was needed again. Out came the hoses and the fire was doused and the damsel rescued – shame about the stubble and the hairy legs!

The day ended with Inspector Glen Belcher awarding prizes for the carting time trial event sponsored by Halfords, with kids competing against the clock on a police themed go-cart. Prizes were also awarded for a kids poster competition. The event was a huge success with people of all ages enjoying the activities and displays in the sunshine, and a total of £2,500 was raised for:

• 60% to the childrens charity Take a Break
• 20% to the Fire Benevolent Fund
• 20% to the Police Benevolent Fund.