Regarding the suitability of an area for domiciling police officers on their occasional days off, I remember a case of one of the Sergeants on my relief, when I was a young and keen PC (I know, it's not the one you knew). Having been divorced for several years, he met and fell in love with a gorgeous lady, and decided to move in to her large Victorian mansion flat in one of the better parts of central London with her. Being aware of the rules, he made an official application to cohabit (the Job was slowly leaving Victorian morality behind by the late 1970s) The reply came back about 10 days later - refused. He showed me the 728 and his response, which was "I appreciate that there is a known prostitute living 5 doors away. I assume that you will be emptying Marylebone Section House, 3 doors away." He was thereafter allowed to live in an area cursed with ladies of the night.
Having joined the Met in 1977 it was a different world compared to today. The restrictions on your personal life seemed quite harsh but generally it worked and you were (sort of) looked after. For example In the early 80's as a newly married with a young child I was in the process of selling a flat and moving, there was the inevitable delay in the chain and we could have lost the sale. I approached estates branch and asked if there were any married quarters available for a short time, lo and behold there was, I wasn't fussy as I would be there for about five weeks so I was given a house for the time until I could complete on my new house. Unimaginable today.
As you say the Met had a vast estates portfolio. I was told by a very senior officer that there was absolutely no incentive for the Met to sell it off and get the best price as the Treasury had stated that any profits from the sale of Met property would go the treasury so the Met would not benefit. Some of the old 'slum' married quarters such as Regency Street in Victoria are now very desirable.
I lived in Mead House c1989. It was only refurbished because of complaints from local well known faces John Cleese and Roger Taylor who likened it to a Brazilian slum. They fitted gates to the rear car park when officers cars were criminally damaged by local scumbags during the NHC. Fortunately, I went to my mother in laws every weekend that particular event came around
Great article & a huge dose of reality - so doomed to failure as the sugar rush of the big Met property sellout has led to an organisation crashing for lack of energy & empathy for those who make the bosses look good - the frontline. I’m amazed you don’t tire from this.
I lived in Paul Breen Section house for too long, met some great people, and nefarious ones. Laughed as residents tried to sneak their drunken conquests out of the fire escape. Enjoyed the piss ups & takeaways. It had a great canteen with wonderful staff. Swore when fireworks were fired from a resident’s window, setting off the alarm in the middle of the night (I was early turn).
Then there was the incident of the devil’s lettuce being enjoyed in a room…
Regarding the suitability of an area for domiciling police officers on their occasional days off, I remember a case of one of the Sergeants on my relief, when I was a young and keen PC (I know, it's not the one you knew). Having been divorced for several years, he met and fell in love with a gorgeous lady, and decided to move in to her large Victorian mansion flat in one of the better parts of central London with her. Being aware of the rules, he made an official application to cohabit (the Job was slowly leaving Victorian morality behind by the late 1970s) The reply came back about 10 days later - refused. He showed me the 728 and his response, which was "I appreciate that there is a known prostitute living 5 doors away. I assume that you will be emptying Marylebone Section House, 3 doors away." He was thereafter allowed to live in an area cursed with ladies of the night.
Trenchard House … venue of legends. Stick a load of coppers with money to burn slap bang in the middle of Soho, what could possibly go wrong ?🤣🤷🏻♂️
I thought I’d live there for six months and save up a deposit for a flat. Actually moved out five years later when the job slung us out 🤪
Legendary parties, great people, great times. As someone once said, it’s like being at Uni but on £25k a year 🥳🎉🍻🍻🍻
Excellent as always! Not sure Slough was ever in the Met though, you may be mistaking Slough for Staines?
Trangmar Section House in Ealing was the place to be. The parties were legendary, we even had Noz Roberts on the door! Good times.
Having joined the Met in 1977 it was a different world compared to today. The restrictions on your personal life seemed quite harsh but generally it worked and you were (sort of) looked after. For example In the early 80's as a newly married with a young child I was in the process of selling a flat and moving, there was the inevitable delay in the chain and we could have lost the sale. I approached estates branch and asked if there were any married quarters available for a short time, lo and behold there was, I wasn't fussy as I would be there for about five weeks so I was given a house for the time until I could complete on my new house. Unimaginable today.
As you say the Met had a vast estates portfolio. I was told by a very senior officer that there was absolutely no incentive for the Met to sell it off and get the best price as the Treasury had stated that any profits from the sale of Met property would go the treasury so the Met would not benefit. Some of the old 'slum' married quarters such as Regency Street in Victoria are now very desirable.
I have fond memories of rent allowance, especially the yearly compensatory grant. It usually paid for my summer holiday.
TJF
I lived in Mead House c1989. It was only refurbished because of complaints from local well known faces John Cleese and Roger Taylor who likened it to a Brazilian slum. They fitted gates to the rear car park when officers cars were criminally damaged by local scumbags during the NHC. Fortunately, I went to my mother in laws every weekend that particular event came around
Great article & a huge dose of reality - so doomed to failure as the sugar rush of the big Met property sellout has led to an organisation crashing for lack of energy & empathy for those who make the bosses look good - the frontline. I’m amazed you don’t tire from this.
I lived in Paul Breen Section house for too long, met some great people, and nefarious ones. Laughed as residents tried to sneak their drunken conquests out of the fire escape. Enjoyed the piss ups & takeaways. It had a great canteen with wonderful staff. Swore when fireworks were fired from a resident’s window, setting off the alarm in the middle of the night (I was early turn).
Then there was the incident of the devil’s lettuce being enjoyed in a room…