A book of real-life police stories, including an incident that ended the career of a British Transport Police officer, is raising money to support the wellbeing of officers in the BTP and Nottinghamshire forces.
In 1985, PC Neil Harvey of BTP was beaten and nearly killed whilst on patrol in Nottingham on his own at night. Due to his injuries, the officer was never able to resume police duty.
PC Harvey’s story is one of those recounted by retired Nottinghamshire Police officer Christopher Lewis in his new book, Burnt Toast: Real Life Cop Stories from Notts Police 1980s & 1990s.
The jacket of the book explains that Nottingham in that era had the worst crime rates outside London. The stories in Burnt Toast are taken from Christopher’s years working as a front-line cop, an Authorised Firearms Officer, and as a traffic cop, on the Special Operations Unit, Vice Squad, City Centre Patrol, and the Miner’s Strike, to name a few. The stories range from funny and sad to bizarre and shocking.
Christopher told us: “The book is dedicated to my friends and colleagues, Notts Police Officers, Ged Walker, fatally injured whilst attempting to detain a suspect and Helen Neville, who took her own life whilst suffering from emotional issues. And, British Transport Police Officer, Neil Harvey, who was seriously beaten and left for dead whilst patrolling railway sidings in Nottingham.”
He added: “In today’s climate where the police get a bad press, I hope this book goes some way in helping to restore faith in our police and in the work they do whilst putting their lives on the line every day without any applause.”
Proceeds from the sale of Burnt Toast will be donated to the welfare and benevolent funds of Nottinghamshire Police and BTP. The book is available in paperback and e-book format from Amazon.
