Documentary following work of Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police to air on BBC One today (February 29).
During August and September 2015 the BBC filmed an observational documentary series in Warwickshire and West Mercia policing areas. BBC Countryside 999 is a day-time television programme following the emergency services in rural Britain, who negotiate huge distances, difficult terrain and often dreadful weather to care for and protect the public.
The third series will be broadcast from today (Monday, February 29) at 11am on BBC One. The 15 episodes are due to run every week day for three consecutive weeks.
The series will feature officers from Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire policing areas and offers a great opportunity to highlight the ongoing good work and engagement with people living and working in our rural communities.
PC Sarah Smith based in Herefordshire features in the programme and this is her experience of filming:
“I read the email out with suspicion ‘you want the BBC to film us, record our every movement, every word?’
“All of us at the station were a little apprehensive and nervous, however after spending my entire police career trying to explain to friends, family and the general public the variety, challenges and rewards of my day to day work as a response officer in a rural area, I realised this was an opportunity to good to miss.
“Another willing participant, PC Sam Davies was soon identified. Sam and I love working together, we have the same ethics and passion for the countryside and rural policing. We met the BBC crew and within a couple of shifts, Sam and I went about our policing in a very natural way, it sounds a cliché but we really did almost forget they were there, which is why they hopefully got some good footage.
“We feature in a few clips, but the most memorable is an incident with a deer on the A49!
“I’m really pleased I took part in the documentary, if nothing else I’ll have a lasting keepsake of my varied role in Herefordshire and being fortunate to work with such a great team of officers.”
