Fair point Joe and I wasn't trying to be condescending of our super Northumbrian Police Force, it was a copper that actually mentioned the overtime to me today
Mr Moat is probably long gone from the immediate area by now and I think a lot of what is happening up there at the moment with the police has a mildly disguised political face to it.
However, back to your question, if given the choice I think I'd still rather be a copper in Rothbury, running the risk of facing a single idiot with a pistol and going home everynight, than one of our soldiers out in Afghanistan, facing a nation of manical terrorists with machine guns, bombs, mortars and other IED's 24 hours a day for up to 6 months at a time with no sight of any ending
(that's my political dig)
Just heard that it's now 20 armoured vehicles that are on their way up to Rothbury..........there's only enough parking for about 30 vehicles on the whole of Rothbury main street!!