Shropshire Star

Grown men crying in the cells - Shropshire officer's New Year's Eve as it happened

Drunken yobs taunting officers, fighting in the street then weeping in the cells following arrest – Shropshire's policing commander has lifted the lid on the challenges faced by the force on one of the busiest nights of the year.

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Superintendent James Tozer kept a public log of New Year's Eve in the county on social networking website Twitter, offering an insight into the drama of tackling alcohol-fuelled crime on the frontline.

He said officers had to deal with missing people, overdoses and assaults on what is traditionally one of the toughest nights of the year for the emergency services.

Superintendent Tozer said cells were filled at Monkmoor Police Station in Shrewsbury by 3.30am.

At the end of the overnight shift this morning, he thanked officers for their work in dealing with disorder throughout the evening.

"Some of the prisoners will be surprised when the evidence of what they have done is presented - some will hang their heads in shame," he said.

"Tonight I have seen grown men crying in the cells with remorse (or self pity) and I have seen raging bulls refusing to see reason.

Supt James Tozer

"I have seen people wanting to fight the world with the strength of 10 - and enough alcohol on board for 10 too.

"I have seen my officers stand being shouted taunted and ranted at, and calmly go about their duty making arrests and keeping the peace."

Supt Tozer, who tweets under the name @SuptTozer, said he had seen "stupidity" among some revellers throughout the night shift.

Anthony Marsh, chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, also thanked his entire staff as they dealt with almost 2,000 calls across the region between 8pm and 5am.

"The way in which the service deals with this traditionally busy night is a tribute to all the staff and volunteers who work through the night, often without the chance of a break," he said.

"I am very proud of my staff and volunteers who gave up their night to ensure the safety of everyone in the West Midlands, regardless of whether or not they spent the night celebrating the coming of the New Year."

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