- Inspector Stewart Sheer

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Big job of the day was to rescue the Canadian moose...yes not your everyday task but our Canadian mounty colleagues were concerned that in the coming parties it might do the rounds . Rest day tomorrow Hooray ! Shame we will be finishing at 3am.

.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Along with a couple of the guys from the team I had the opportunity to wear a gold medal winners medal today , Peter Kretschmer, turns out he is a German police officer and wanted the photo for his work mates back at home what a nice bloke. The other photo I have added is some illuminated glass columns which have the signatures of athletes who have competed in the games with one or two extras!

Much as I have loved every day I have to admit I am looking forward to getting home to my lovely wife and catching up with family only a few days to go.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Yesterday I had an earlier start than some to fulfil my BBC duties. This was a live radio interview with a presenter who was at Olympic Park from BBC Radio Stoke. I was grateful it was done over the phone as I was sat on a plastic chair in a pair of boxers rubbing sleep from my eyes!!

Like a true professional I had "prepped" for it. Written a few lines, sitting upright to give clarity to my voice, water on standby in case I got a dry mouth. I was tired, nervous but happy I would deliver.

There was a line I wanted to put in which said "the fittest, fastest athletes in the world with 15 of Cheshire's finest". Everything was going ok. Clear voice, no need for water, confident. Then it just happened, I said "fittest", but for some reason I was unable to say "fastest" it came out "fattest". There's the career in radio gone!

Also apologies to all those athletes who have trained for 4 years…I meant fastest!

My Olympic partner PC Mike Butler were later given a guided tour around BBC Operations by a very kind lady called Geraldine Lewis. I would also like to thank everyone in my serial for making a very long and tiring period of work the best in my 24 year career:

• Inspector Sheer
• Sergeant 2249 Bailey
• PC 5393 Butler
• PC 3990 Sime
• PC 5325 Fergus
• PC 5189 Pritchard

Thank you.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

I'm due to work today at Stratford International station right by the Olympic park for the closing ceremony although I doubt I'll see any of it - I've spent almost 3 weeks here and not seen a bit of the games however I know tonight's atmosphere will be something I'll probably never experience again in my policing service.

The Olympics have passed without any major incident and the pressure is very much on the police officers to make sure that remains the case. Today several police forces have left the accommodation to travel back to their various parts of the UK as their assistance to the London forces has ended - thankfully Cheshire are still here for perhaps the best part of the Olympics. It's really pleasing to see that team GB is now on 62 medals!

Well this time tomorrow it'll all be over and London will return to 'normal' - in the mean time I've got 50 degree heat in body armour to contend with down the tube - the bad news is that I've run out of Fabreeze so my body armour doesn't smell the freshest (that should however guarantee me some personal space on the trains).

- PC Tony Hayhurst

The advantage of the Piccadilly Line is that each station has familiar landmarks - Knightsbridge (Harrods), Hyde Park (live screened events), Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Convent Garden and Holborn, so popping up for air is very pleasant!!

On one such location - Piccadilly Circus I even bumped into Insp G' who happened to be in the area with his serial deployed to the Met Police. A quick catch up and a photo later, we parted. We'll see each other on Monday evening.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

I've had a really busy few days with some very long and tiring shifts but a few interesting policing incidents. I've dealt with 2 missing people, some lost property, a suspected stolen vehicle, an indecent exposure incident, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour by a group of youths, vagrants causing problems and a mental health incident. In addition I've given literally hundreds of people directions. I've even made an arrest.

I've found that Euston and Liverpool Street are quite busy places to work and are certainly a change from the sedate Canning Town station.

The great thing about working Euston is that it serves Cheshire and the north west so loads of people have been approaching me to tell me that they're from Cheshire. The atmosphere here is still really relaxed and pleasant. The public have been great, all chatting and seemingly pleased to see the police.

Rick and I popped over to Downing Street yesterday after we'd finished work and were really lucky to be allowed to the door of number 10 for a photo! That's been the highlight of our trip!

Today we were accosted by the Salvation Army who took out their paintbrushes to paint our arms in 'team GB' colours.

I've just found out that Rick and I are working together on Sunday night at Stratford International station - we can't get in to see the closing ceremony but we'll be pretty close

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Taking the opportunity for a team photo we posed by our newest car … the unmarked hid to remain anonymous.

From the left author, Stix, G-Dog and Ricardo.

We'd just finished when some bloke ran through the yard. It was a bit of a slog, what with the body armour and the heat but we eventually caught him after he slowed to a jog, just about the 210 metre mark. He insisted in joining us for a quick snap. Apparantly he was just over for some sports meeting!

- Sergeant Andy Jones

I can't praise the team from Frodsham enough for their extra efforts during the Games. In total so far, and still counting, we have worked over 250 hours since the games started. This has made a real difference. It has been tiring, but enjoyable.

- Specials Inspector Neil Gitton

Mid-morning and a scramble at reports of a car just stolen in Chester. A few minutes and the story was changing slightly, if significantly to it having been taken legitimately on the back of a trailer due to a civil recovery matter.

Most were patrols committed with a high risk missing person, thankfully found safe and well. The sun was out all day and mainly good will spread around. Whether that'll last through the night only time will tell.

- Sergeant Andy Jones

Victoria's situated near many of the London tourist attractions .. and by the end if my tour of duty could direct people to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park (live screen/10km swim), Victoria Apollo, then the passport office, Austrian embassy, photo booths ... Etc. .. At lunch time I was asked for a local curry shop .. Sent them to a restaurant I'd seen only for them to return to me a short time later say, 'no Currys, the electrical store' ... I must have been hungry!! At the end of the day I felt like a walking A-Z

You would not believe the number if people wearing the red/white and blue, union jack clothing, flags and team GB clothing ... Throwing into the mix the Orange of the Dutch, the Irish tricolours and their green hats, the Norwegian red and black, the stars and stripes of the USA and the Canadian's maple leaf ... To name a few... It was once again a sea of colours ...!!

A busy location and believe me you can walk some miles in a typical shift

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

This does not happen on a normal day in Frodsham but at the Olympic Village it's an everyday occurrence.

More of the same tomorrow.

Two days to go, can't wait for home, but be sad to be leaving our Olympic bubble.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Tonight's shift has started slowly this evening in contrast to Monday and Tuesday which were busy. This thankfully has allowed me to catch up with emails and reports etc. The troops have put in plenty of miles tonight covering a lot of ground giving plenty of attention to all our areas as is the norm and I'm also pleased to say as the duty Roads Policing Senior Investigating Officer on nights that my services have not been required so far.

The jobs that we have attended during our shift have been much what you would expect an Police Officer to deal with, however for the unusual event of the week so far we received a call from our colleagues on the Motorway asking if we had any Ostrich farms in the Lower Peover area. The reply was that we did, to which the Motorway Officers reponse was "Good because we've got one on the Motorway ". Thought it was a joke, but no there is an incident for it. See even in Cheshire we come across the strangest things at night. Now I am just waiting for a report of Elephant walking down Foregate Street, Chester to come in.

- Sergeant Dave Harrison

We ended up with rather muddy boots. They've been worse…but not by much. The local who lived in a very smart residence insisted we came in for a coffee. Always keen to engage with the public we accepted, although I did say in jest"only if you don’t have cream carpets". We stamped, stomped and kicked walls to get as much mud as possible from our size nines. We entered and the dark blue carpet in the hall was a relief, then we got to the living room and yes..you guessed it, the lightest thick pile cream carpet. We didn't disgrace ourselves and the carpet survived unscathed.

Our hiking including some fence hopping and so if anyone finds a mobile phone in rural Cheshire…it just might be Constable "G-Dog's".

- Sergeant Andy Jones

I've managed to bag a photo with the mascot's thanks to a very kind member of staff at John Lewis at Westfields shopping centre who allowed P.C. John Wright and I into an area of her shop that overlooked the Olympic park. It's only when you look down on the Olympic park that you can gauge the sheer enormity of it.

I had yesterday and today off, I decided that yesterday I'd go into London and have a wander around a couple of the museums and the city. London itself seems quieter than normal (which is rather nice). I went over to Greenwich and to London Bridge where I visited Borough Market (recommended by a colleague) definitely worth a visit if you're ever down this way. I then went to Canary Wharf and docklands. There was a farmers market in Canary Wharf and a few rather large boats..... One being used by the German team, another I'm reliably told that one is being used by Bill Gates (how the other half live!)

Samuel Johnson wrote 'when a man is tired of London he is tired of life'. Well I'm not tired of London, I just need a day away from it so I've decided to spend my day off today in Cambridge, I travelled up on the train and saw something I've seen very little of recently; fields and countryside. I'm just having a wander around the city (although I've paused for a coffee and to write this blog). Cambridge is somewhere I've not been before but I'll be coming again! It's a very welcome break from London and a really beautiful interesting place.

Just a few shifts in London left, I’m really looking forward to going back to work after my days off however at the same time I’m ready for home and my own bed. Its going to be an early escape from Cambridge, I can't be back late as tomorrow's early shift starts very early (much to my dissatisfaction).

- PC Tony Hayhurst

The Cheshire team again showed their ability to engage at all levels and on this occasion prove the boys got rythm too ! The GB rythmic gymnasts were so impressed the chaps will be competing on Friday !

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

A day in the Media centre was our third area of deployment. A huge plot for 20,000 of the worlds broadcasters, reporters and photographers. A much quieter place to what we've been used to but on the plus side got to watch a race on a 3D tv. Not very special? Well this is that advanced there are only 2 in the world!!

Also got to see the OBS (olympic broadcasting service) nerve centre that keeps the Olympics on the worlds Tv screens. Described by a reporter as "the most important room in the world right now"

Our most important room in the world is still the one where we sleep!.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

Our day was about to get less boring too. An alert neighbour called 999 reporting intruders at their neighbours who were on holiday. It was in the sticks and unlike last week this wasn't grandad doing an airport run. A powerful AMG Mercedes was taken from the drive and by luck spotted making off at speed by a panda. We were already heading to the area and with a recent direction of travel decided to do the backroads. As we turned into a small rural we instantly met by a Mercedes almost head-on. The Mercedes then took off at what is commonly know as warp speed. We hit our "covert blues and twos" to watch four large Mercedes exhaust pipes disappear into the distance.

With a multitude of back lanes that was the last we saw of it for a while. Fortunately it was fitted with a tracking device and with our cars and the "chopper squad" it was located down a dead end track some miles away. No one with it so not the perfect result but this is the real world and sometimes you just have to settle for silver

- Sergeant Andy Jones

I have been working lates again which means 1am finished but it has it compensations in the display of lights across the park.

Highlight of the day was bumping into local girl Beth Tweddle with her Bronze medal, she was very friendly and a little surprised when she realised we were Cheshire cops.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Hot and sticky, stab vest do little to make that any more enjoyable, at least the air con is working in our car.

Dairy farmers are having a protest tonight. PC G-Dog as a public order advisor has been called away to Warrington to feature in the response if one is needed. We did have time to have a chat with a couple of motorists before he went. The second, driving a little Citroen that had no insurance….so time to call dad for a lift home and consider the points going on the licence and the costs to get the car back.

I was doubled up with PC Ricardo working on the roads. A couple of jobs came in almost at once on the A55 Chester Southerly-by-pass. The A55 is a fast road, busy at rush hour and with no hard shoulder. We went to the broken down car whilst PC "Stix" went to the more dramatic job where a wagon had lost its load. The load being a rather large steel drum had thankfully fallen off and trundled benignly along the grass verge. It could have been so much worse.

- Sergeant Andy Jones

Life in the Athletes Village pretty much as before, except we have more people carrying more weight! Did manage to speak briefly with Mo Farah and congratulate him on his amazing win, caught the 100 meters final on a TV, and just before finishing for the night had the pleasure of chatting to three friendly Brit athletes which included Miss Johnson Thompson who is a lovely lady and clearly a very happy person.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

We're getting use to the various sights, this one was captured by my colleague earlier ... Only in London.

The early turn seemed to fly by and we completed our tour of duty at 1630hrs, which enabled me to see my first bit of televised Olympic coverage !!!

My two girls are obviously missing myself and my husband and I think the novelty of being at their grandparents with both of us deployed to the olympics is wearing thin ... I'm getting text messages declaring more and more love ... and they've begun the countdown until we collect them .. 11 more sleeps, and with myself accommodated in Hertfordshire and my hubby elsewhere in London we're a rather disjointed family, with none of us seeing any of us for quite a while :-(

An early bed beckons though ...zzzzz.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

- so my advice is keep your hands on your wallet and phone). Sadly none of us could find found any pick pockets but on the plus side we were thanked for our efforts by duty Inspector who tells us that unusually there were no reported incidents. It seems we have disrupted and deterred crime. It's been a lovely day today in London, bright, sunny and a bit of breeze so just nice for working. I am now an expert in directing people around the transport networks of London, don't need a map any more! The stations seemed to be at their busiest that I've seen today with the athletics getting under way, there has been a really electricity in the air especially as we've won some medals today, the atmosphere down here has been brilliant, I've really enjoyed working today - probably my best day so far in London.

I thought it was time that I put fingers to keyboard and wrote another blog. Yesterday was a critical day - the day before I run out of clean clothes (and uniform) so I thought I'd take a stroll over to the campus laundrette. I arrived to find the laundrette full of cops all queuing to use the machines - estimated waiting time 1 hour. I turned on my heels and walked back to my accommodation where I washed my clothes by hand. I then produced a washing line from string and festooned my clothes around my room to dry. I thought that it was all going well until I returned to my room tonight to find that the cleaner had been and cleaned my room...... She had recorded her thoughts on a piece of paper, she alleged she had been garrotted by the washing line and almost suffocated by a pair of my (how can I put this) 'intimate apparel' which were suspended in mid air. I'll record my thoughts on my blog - look before walking into someones room!

I must say I laughed! See...... Police officers do have a sense of humour!

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Well back to the Athletes village today (Sun).

The Athletes have been allowed to invite friends or family into the village to enjoy the occasion so it was a busy day again.

Some of them have finished completion so are either heading home or relaxing. Later on many get dressed up and head out into town.

Lucky enough to have my photo taken with Maya Lawrence, bronze medal winner from the US. She insisted on wearing my hat and I wasn't going to argue with an Olympic fencer!!!

Also spoke to an upbeat but dejected Mara Yamauchi (Team GB) who retired injured in the marathon.

I also allowed Mark Webber (F1) to sign some autographs with my pen. There are some requests you just can't turn down.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

We had the Eaton Manor end for our final day in the park which included the Basketball, velodrome, and the Park Side which was where the big screen was. Things were fairly relaxed but as the day went on the tentions raised in anticipation of GB success and the parked filled to capacity. My feet at the end of the day were telling me that I walked quite some distance and I suspect this was because I was walking sideways as much as forwards!

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Two Cheshire officers were lucky enough to cover inside the Aquamarine centre for Water Polo, diving and Syncro swimming.

The Olympic Park expected to have 200,000 plus visitors. We're doing a great public relations job for Police everywhere. Cheshire and Gwent have been complimented on our "spirit" and friendliness towards everyone.

Another two Cheshire PCs, (Tony Davison, Mark Smith) also accompanied the Metropolitan Commissioner around the park today. We are fine ambassadors for our Force.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

Chester City centre was markedly busier. After watching unseen from our unmarked car as a drunk argued a bit too vehemently with door staff PC "G- Dog", advised the lad the error of his ways. We then made it more formal giving him a notice to leave the City for the rest of the evening. The City centre CCTV, in best big brother style but without the adverts, doggedly tracked his every move to ensure he complied. That was that all too much for G-Dogs' pen which has now died.

Cars then responded urgently to cover the arterial roads after a householder reported the possible theft in progress of a neighbours car while they were away on holiday. The thief was struggling to get the car going, setting off the alarm and stalling as he made his getaway. It wasn't spotted in Chester even by the helicopter that making a short pass on route back from another part of the county. Forty minutes later GMP got behind it as it approached Manchester airport … all a bit of a surprise for Grandad who using his son's car to pick the family up from their holidays.

PC "G-Dog" along with PC "Ricardo" have got their trip out at last as a couple of specialist search trained officers were required urgently in Runcorn. Using their combined specialist search skills they managed to find Runcorn, "Ricardo" even found some items during the search. After a little more effort they found their way back to Chester.

- Sergeant Andy Jones

The team being split again in the next few days, there were casualties but we made it. I was amazed at the size of the gate and took a picture just after 7am a very different picture of the gate that became a sea of people with a never ending flow. I was really proud of the team as they again proved their skills in engaging with the public though some of the staff may want to consider what they put on their heads before they do it ! !

At the end of the day the team again proved Cheshire still have it marching through the 150 thousand plus crowds ... Ok a little more of a bimble than a march!

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

A full moon and whether it be urban myth or fact there's always a feeling something or more likely someone is going to go a bit more daft than normal. Well so far it must have been cloudy because it's been far too dull.

First job was to an address in Chester, drunken caller claiming to be covered in blood. All was well where we were as it soon turned out she'd called from a mobile and was in Ellesmere Port. At which point the over-exaggerated job involving her and a tiny self inflicted nick on her friend's arm and by now a considerable amount of NHS and Police resources … became our collegues in 'the Port's problem. Perhaps they had less cloud cover?

After that a request for a search of an address for someone in the cells, the address turned out to be completely empty and up for let so didn't really tax us too much.

We floated over to Ellesmere Port to see if the full moon was going to work it's magic but apart from a 13 and 15 years old wandering the the streets at 2am little was happening. A free ride back to the wrath of mum who didn't know they were out tidied them from the streets.

PC "Ricardo" brought in doughnuts, just because he's a good lad although he's now started to grow his sideburns in a Bradley Wiggins tribute

- Sergeant Andy Jones

I used an app on my phone yesterday too while I was walking the platforms and stations the app claims that I've walked nearly 14 miles so that could account for my aching feet. Anyway aching feet aside, I decided that I'd put my day off today to good use and went into London with colleagues. Just as we walked through the ticket barriers at Kings Cross a man was trying to 'escape' without buying a ticket. PC John Wright from Crewe and I (dressed in our 'T' shirts and jeans) had to intervene so our day off has not entirely been a day off. Penalty fare issued and ticket for his journey bought I made it to London, just a little later than planned.

PC Wright and I have walked miles today around Kensington, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Marylebone - my feet were aching and apparently so were John's so we took to London on some hired 'Boris' bikes - a healthy, cheap, green way to see London! Providing of course you can dodge the wild motorists of the capital!

I know that some of my colleagues from Cheshire that have been working with the Metropolitan force have left today to head back to Cheshire, for me it's another 13 days before I head home. To be truthful, I'll be glad to sleep in my own bed but sorry to leave London and the games.

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Again I was working at the exit and entrance stations for the ExCel, where the Olympic Boxing, weightlifting, judo, tae kwondo wrestling, fencing and table tennis is taking place. It's a vast venue located in the London East End in the banks of the Thames, served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which has been our 'beat' since Saturday. Today seems a very busy day, with more spectators than I've seen before, and it appears that the transport system is more than coping with the numbers, yesterday (Monday) the DLR broke it's capacity record with an additional 113,000 passengers, let's see what today brings!!

We are regularly joined by the British Transport Police dog handlers with their specialist dogs, today we worked with Bailey a handsome Springer Spaniel, who was quite happy being fussed. These dogs have 'business cards' they hand out to children, there's around 60 to collect

We're also meeting lots of proud parents and friends of the Olympic Athletes. You can usually identify them as they've made such a patriotic effort in their dress - that over the top look, which looks fantastic - flags, red, white and blue, anything that makes them instantly recognizable in the crowd.

The atmosphere is electric and so good natured. We're very much made a fuss of, which is something I'll never forget!!

It's 1am and my tired feet need a rest, it's 2 rest days now. I don't think they'll include any train travel !!

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

The rest of the day was just as good as the previous three, with numerous people from all over the world coming up to us to say how much they were enjoying themselves and the way that we were policing the park. We were also given packs of 'Top Dogs' (a Top Trumps style card game featuring the Met Police Dogs) to give away to children and these proved to be a great hit. The day was finished off nicely when a group of us were invited to go up to the viewing platform at the top of the Orbit. The tower is 115m tall and provides stunning views across the Olympic Park and all of London and it was a great way to end our involvement in the games.

This deployment has been the most memorable of the 24 years I have spent as a police officer. The whole team have worked incredibly hard to contribute to the policing of the Olympic Games and have been a credit to the Cheshire Constabulary in everything that they have said and done.

- Inspector Dave Price

The highlight of the whole week was late last night when we had the pleasure to scale the Orbit. The views across London took our breath away. Wembley Arch, The Dome and the London Eye could all be seen however the Olympic Stadium looked amazing all lit up right beneath us.

A return to Camp meant we could enjoy a well earned drink and share our many pictures and stories.

All and all a fabulous few days with great colleagues.

- PC Paul Wright

Into work and a slow start, emails from above looking at staffing levels for the festive seasons. We've already had the requests for Christmas party deposits so it must be soon!

Stopped a few cars then our car stopped! In a quite dramatic gush of steam pouring out from the bonnet and the vents suddenly blowing hot. A quick scrabble for the fire extinguisher, fortunately not needed. A garage call out saw the car taken away to the garages, a water pump failure seems the likely cause. Crewed tonight with PC "G-Dog" we got PC "Ritchie" to give us and our kit and a lift back to the station. For a while it was like a summer trip out, hard to resist a shout of "are we there yet"

- Sergeant Andy Jones

Arrived at the main park early doors after having the strange experience of getting out of bed at 2am. It was worth it the central park was impressive and huge! 4 km from one side to another. The day was spent patrolling the whole park chatting to people and being photographed a thousand times at its height when Sergeant Andy Burnham had 20 or so Japanese fans!

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

PC Mike Butler and I have walked mile after mile, met people from all over the world. Quite a few locals and actually a lot from Cheshire who recognise our crest and badges.

As we have said each country or sponsor have small lapel badges which are being collected, swapped and then shown off for all to see.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

First point of duty was at he Victoria Park entrance point. This was relatively quiet with only a handful of people trickling through. One of those was the one and only Kris Akabusi who was a true gent and posed for a picture with myself. This made my day.

3 hours to go until my deployment finishes and it's back to Cheshire tomorrow in readiness for my weekend night shifts covering Crewe!

- PC Paul Wright

Not sure of our beat yet, but we're all hoping it's inside the park area again for the final shift.

Tonight there may well be a couple of drinks sampled by the team which will have most definately been well earned.

- PC Paul Wright

As the day progressed it became apparent there were several thousand more people in and around the Park Life area watching the events down by the river on the big screens.

Excitement reached fever pitch when our sergeant’s favourite, Tom Daley made his way up the diving board, only to disappoint and finish outside the medals!

As nightfall fell roars could be heard from the basketball arena and Hockey Stadium as Team GB played out their games.

Once again the best part of the day was interacting with and having our photos taken with many different people from all over the world. It's amazing to think that we have played a small part in making the event such a success.

Return to base to soak those weary bones before a good nights sleep in readiness for our final day on the Park.

- PC Paul Wright

The days have all been long and very tiring as I've been stood on my feet collapsing under the weight of all the police equipment that I've got to carry. The atmosphere around the area of the Olympics is fantastic, it's been really busy all day and throughout the day I've been chatting to the public and especially helping them with directions. There seems to be very little in the way of crime and other problems in the area that I'm policing quite possibly due to all the police officers and railway staff in the area.

The area that I'm working houses the new cable car (however I've been told that it must be called the 'Emirates airline') we've been using the cable car to travel across the Thames to Greenwich - the view is spectacular, especially at night. It needs to be on the list of 'places to see in London' although I'll warn you now it rocks about so if you've not got a head for heights perhaps give it a miss.

- PC Tony Hayhurst

I'm supervising a group of Cheshire and British Transport Police (BTP) officers who are both patrolling stations and mobile on the trains. We're almost feeling local as we're able to provide 'correct' directions to venues now.

The comment we continually hear is 'Cheshire - you're along way from home' it's amazing how many people who are down here or from our county or have connections with it, and surprisingly when they ask 'I don't suppose you know ----- ?" we've been able to answer 'Yes' - it's a small world.

Quite a few of the athletes are coming to support their team mates at events where we are, the colours of the competing nations are so vibrant together. The smaller Asian countries, South America and some of the Island nations are incredibly bright, and some are wearing traditional dress.

I was given a posy (as awarded to the Medalists) to have my photo with, it's made up as a typical British Garden - roses, mint, rosemary, lavender and grasses. The result is that fragrant smell of an English garden after rainfall.

It seems to me that the concept of being chatted to by the Police is not a repeated across the globe, but we have had nothing but positive comments, from locals, and tourists.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

Well when I say a day! 23 and a half hours to be exact. The long hours finally caught up! But essentials, washing and calls home to be done doesn't leave much time. Bed for 8pm because we're getting collected at 3am for our next day. It is a full Cheshire team tomorrow with a new deployment.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

Someone spent their day off making cup cakes, the block spent five minutes demolishing them. Crewed with PC "Ricardo", he's moved house this weekend so looks even worse than normal .. he's already won the first yawn prize. And so the night begins, first call an abandoned vehicle on a roundabout, crashed? stolen? drink driver?... no just broken down and with the owner by the time we arrived. Following on closely after that a report of smoke, possibly a house fire or a car ablaze. But no just someone using their garden incinerator a bit later than usual. After that we were called to a household where, a few occupants going for in a competition to see who could be the most drunk and obnoxious. The gold medalist had a free ride in a Police van to custody where the presentation ceremony was held in front of the custody sergeant. A fight in the City centre resulted in another contender. Perhaps they can share the podium in the morning. Gone 4am on a Tuesday morning and people are still in town. I must be getting old as I think that's late even for a Saturday night but a Monday night out? The rain has started, cue for a HGV making an unscheduled trip into a field, we didn't attend but it sounds like the driver's pride is the only injury.

- Sergeant Andy Jones

One of the teams under the supervision of Sergeant Andy Burnham have continued to support the Metropolitan Police outside in the boroughs but they have managed to embrace the spirit of the games. I am off to bed now at 7pm!! Up at 2am deployed at 3am and a change of roles having my whole team working the open ground between all the events should be good and I am looking forward to the whole team being together for the first time.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

I've been based at Canning Town station on the Docklands Light Railway but covering the stations of Custom House, Pontoon Dock, West Silvertown and Royal Victoria - basically I've spent the day travelling up and down the line and checking the stations and train en route.

There have been several incidents today, all fairly run of the mill things, mainly lost people and pick pocketing which I've dealt with. I've had a really good (but very tiring) day; it's been really interesting to meet so many people from so many different cultures from all over the world.

The officers from British Transport Police have been brilliant and made all the Cheshire officers feel very welcome, it's been a very steep learning curve in policing - London is very different to Cheshire in terms of policing just the huge variety in people from different places around the world makes policing so much harder.

I spoke to a couple of soldiers from the Army today; they've been working on security covering for G4S. They'd both come back from Afghanistan and should have been on leave however have been sent to the Olympics instead. Apparently their accommodation is a sleeping bag in a multi story car park! All of a sudden my accommodation begins to sound like a 5 star hotel.

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Sore feet were not enough to dampen our spirits as we set off for briefing. On arrival at the briefing centre an almighty thunder storm rocked us and a wet day looked likely.

On arrival at the Olympic Park we were told that we would be patrolling Sector 3 which included the Veladrome, Basketball Arena, Park Life and Hockey Stadium. Thousands of people streaming in again all pleased to see us and many pictures taken again.

Amazing thunderstorms passed around us during the early evening and the sky was lit up as lightning forked across the skyline. Was this the electricity generated as Rebecca Adlington claimed a bronze in the 400m as the crowds at Park Life watching the big screen went crazy!

A fabulous day had all around topped off by 66 officers from three forces doing the Mexican Wave for visitors at the end of the night. A memory that will stick with me for life.

- PC Paul Wright

After we finish, usually around midnight, other officers take over and get the venues ready for the next day. Amongst them are some Cheshire Dog Handlers, who spend the nights searching the various buildings. Both the handlers and the dogs seem to be enjoying themselves, with one of the dogs even managing to find time to give a brief press conference about his role!

- Inspector Dave Price

I'm deployed to the same area again today, close to an Olympic venue on the transport system that serves it.

It's amazing to see all the different nationalities it's a sea of different colours every time the train pulls in. The visitors all respond to a smile and I don't think I've ever had so many photographs taken either!!

We we're knights in shining armour to a lady who had managed to lock her self in a toilet, when my colleague managed to open the door she was delighted, but she took a look of our uniform she said 'but you've come from Cheshire' ... 'yes', he said 'just to rescue you'... She thought we were great.

I stopped a Slovakian ticket tout, an unauthorized seller of Olympic tickets with over £2k in cash on him - I don't think we'll see him again today.

It's 11.30pm and I've just been stood down, but with our travel time back to our accommodation taking an hour and a half it will be another 12 1/2 hr shift completed.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

Today has been a packed training day, the day started at 7:30am (so I was up at 6) we met our trainers who took us through a very comprehensive training package in double quick time! We covered health and safety surrounding railways, tracks and trains, some information on the rail network and how to identify our location, how to deal with a variety of incidents on board a train in a station and the British Transport Police protocols. We moved on to cover fatalities and scene management on the railway, railway legislation and law and various other topics. Incorporated into this training was training on the British Transport Police radio system as it differs to the Cheshire system. The day finished at 6:30pm. I spent the evening going for a run then dinner then a drink with colleagues from around Cheshire.

While here on the university campus I have met/seen officers from just about every force I the UK. I would estimate that there are about 500 police officers here and many more on another site across the road who are working with the Metropolitan force. Sleeping has been difficult with the heat and the noise of officers getting up as early as 3am for morning shifts and returning from duty at all hours of the night.

Saturday

It's 2am and I've just got back from London. I started my duty today at 1pm so it's been a very long 13 hours of being on my feet. I've spent the day at Canning Town station where I've been working on the Docklands Light Railway and the Jubilee Line of London Underground. During my shift I have been working with a British Transport Police officer (PC Davies) who has been teaching me the British Transport Police way of doing things. I've given directions to lots and lots of people who are equally as lost as me!!

I met an ex-Cheshire special constable (now PC Lang) who has joined the Metropolitan force on his way home from his late shift in London.

I've spoken to several Cheshire residents who have been heading to and from the Olympic park and seen the Cheshire police uniform then wandered over to speak to me and my colleagues all of them seemed firstly shocked and then delighted to see Cheshire officers in London.... It's a small world!!

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Then to start HI vis patrol of the main streets. Lots of people out again tonight. Spoke to a couple of unhappy motorists who had been issued a penalty notice by my colleagues earlier in the day, for parking in disabled bays unnecessarily. Smoothed that over, and then did the rounds talking to the Door staff at the local Bars. All of which were busy, with a good atmosphere.

There was a "Legends" Disco at the Overton suite (the old Mersey View), with over 600 tickets sold. Maintained HI vis Presence as much as we could throughout the evening - made a point of speaking the door staff their too, after getting the info of the function, closing times etc,

At around 10pm we Patrolled Delamere forest, and surrounding hot spot areas, there were a few parked cars and persons who we checked out.

- Specials Inspector Neil Gitton

We were given our areas to patrol and paired up. Fortunately for us we had the main turnstile at Stratford. People from all over the world steadily streamed into watch the events, mainly the swimming at the aquatics centre.

Various celebrities streamed past us including Roger Black, Lord Coe, Tom Daley and Mark Foster before we were told to patrol near to the Aquatics Centre itself as a very high profile visitor was attending. It turned out to be no other than the first lady of America, amazing.

As the fans streamed away at the end of the night the staff at the park continued to amaze me with there friendliness and enthusiasm even after a long day.

Returning to base with sore feet and legs ready for a nice sleep in readiness to do it all again tomorrow

- PC Paul Wright

I must admit the shift took a little longer today even though it was shorter there was still a buzz in the Athletes Village but it was muted in comparison to the build up to the ceremony the day before. I think it best described as a change in focus lots of athletes now getting down to the business at hand.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Despite the lack of sleep the smiles were there again for all to see. 16 of Cheshires finest were amongst the fastest, fittest, quickest, tallest, widest, toughest athletes on the Planet.

The mood was still relaxed but as more and more Athletes approach "their time" their focus changes!

During my duty today I was lucky enough to speak to Luiz Suarez, which as a Liverpool fan was my highlight today. Two of the Team GB divers took some time out to talk to us and were very relaxed and excited about their Competion (Sun) Good Luck to them.

I saw Sir Chris Hoy, Tom Daley, Usain Bolt, and a Polish girl sipping Champagne holding her Silver medal for everyone to see.

There was a worrying sight earlier in the day when I saw two athletes approach each other. Everything seemed very friendly until one, very discreetly passed a small clear plastic bag to the other. This sadly is all to common a sight for Police everywhere but here in the Olympic Village.... Surely not?

They walked away from each other smiling with their deal done!

PC Smith and I had seen enough, no one was "dealing" on our watch. As we approached this large Moldovian we saw him produce his small plastic clear bag..... the contents were of course, not what we expected but a small pin badge with the Belgium flag on it.

We quickly learnt that each country has a lapel pin badge and everyone likes to exchange and show them off.

The Emergency Services do have one with 999 on but as a currency they are almost worthless against a Team GB or Jamaican badge. It hasn't stopped us trying though with over 200 to collect I've only got 191 to go!

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

Members of the public seem surprised that we talked to and laughed with them. Even the local officer working with us decided to try having a little banter as well, the response he got back was so much more positive!!

We chatted, we directed, we walked... and walked, we searched for drugs, we confiscated alcohol and arrested, we saw some iconic sights and some not so, but most of all I had fun. I heard many comments about my Cheshire Police uniform, and was approached by many people with Cheshire connections. You certainly get around!!

My next Tour of Duty is tomorrow 1pm – 11pm, but I expect to finish late again. It's a long old trek back to where we're staying.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

It has been a pleasure to be here today. We have been able to speak to people from all over the world - and had our photographs taken with many of them! I was approached by a lady called Maria who, although she now lives in Canada, was originally from Birkenhead. She was here to watch her daughter play for the GB Women's Basketball team this evening. She needed some help in getting tickets to her daughter's coach, who had flown in from Boston USA and was outside the park. We managed to get the tickets to her and so they will hopefully all be able to watch the GB number 7, Rachel Vanderwal, help the team to victory over Australia later tonight!

- Inspector Dave Price

It's like stepping into the unknown. We'll get transport to our local station and then we're on our own, mainline into London, then across the city to our parading on Station. I am close to an olympic venue this afternoon, where I understand there will be medals awarded this evening.

Boots polished, Personal Protective Equipment checked, hat  iIroned (they dont travel well in a bag) and hi-vis jackets ready. It's going to be a hot day so my water bottle's already in the freezer cooling down!!!

Looking forward to getting out there and having the Cheshire insignia on display, if you' re down here please take the time to say "Hello" if you see us

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

The work was great talking to the Atheletes and having my photo taken a thousand times - the British bobby was very popular. As for the fireworks at the end of the night wow! My wife said "did you see them?" I said: "see them I felt them that was some display above our heads!"

Now looking forward to day 3.

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Good Luck!

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

- Specials Inspector Neil Gitton

Well, after a much longer journey than we'd hoped for (due to what looked like a very nasty accident on the M1), we have settled in to our base for the next five days. The Metropolitan Police team managing this site have made us very welcome and our briefing this evening brought home just how close we are to working at the Olympics.

The number and variety of police officers and staff staying and working here really brings home the scale of the operation we are involved in. In the few hours we have been here I have seen dog handlers, public order officers, search team staff and mounted officers from more than fifteen other forces, and this is just one of a number of similar sites around London!

Our unit seems to have been very lucky. Our deployment starts at 10am tomorrow, unlike some other units who will be getting up at 2am! We are due to be working in the Olympic Park, which will be fantastic, but we won't know for certain until we get to the briefing centre. Until then, everyone is trying to find a spot in front of the TV to watch the Opening Ceremony.

- Inspector Dave Price

It's also my birthday today, i've never had a birthday on my own as such, and it feels strange not having my family around me. It's not all bad, because a present from my children put a smile back on my face, and I've heard that they're putting on one heck of a celebration for me in North London.

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

Everybody is anxious about their duties. I hope I get to see some of the Opening Ceremony this evening.

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

Just had a good result after we received information from a member of the public about a drink driver, spotted it parked up and sat off for a few minutes till it drove off. The driver didn’t drive very well and not surprisingly considering he was nearly twice the drink drive limit. The driver can think things over for a few hours in the cells.

Weekend off then nights Monday.

- Sergeant Andy Jones

Well the day has finally arrived. After a hectic day the day before which included revision, household chores, packing and not least sampling the Olympic Men's Soccer at Old Trafford. Atmosphere was electric and certainly wetted my appetite for the next few days.

Meet at HQ early morning briefing completed and now en route to our accommodation in Hertfordshire. Looking forward to meeting up with fellow colleagues already deployed. Everything was going well until we hit the traffic so maybe a little while longer till we reach home for the next few days.

- PC Paul Wright

Then we had a session on their Airwave sets, and Staff Assaults to be followed this afternoon by Fatality Management, Counter Terrorism, Legislation and Intelligence, hopefully we will finish around 6pm tonight.

This afternoon we should find out our specific duties and confirmed tour of duties for tomorrow!

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

- Inspector Stewart Sheer

Upon arrival at Watford junction I met with officers from various other forces and we were all transported by bus to a university halls of residence. The accommodation is 'basic' (but if I'm honest better than I expected). The Cheshire officers share the campus with about 400 officers from other forces from around the UK. The food is excellent and I've paid to join the campus gym.

I had a briefing with a senior officer from British Transport Police where I found out some information about the duties that lay ahead. Following that briefing that ran well into the evening I met with some friends for a well deserved drink. The weather down here had been really warm today (in the early 30's) which has made the day quite a pleasant one!

- PC Tony Hayhurst

Our 1st day on site starts tomorrow, eagerly awaiting our duties!

- PC Ian Cuthbertson

All of us with British Transport Police are travelling down by train from Crewe at 11.35am and will be met at Watford and transported to our accommodation… and it's apparent that the men in our numbers have packed significantly more than women !!

- Sergeant Rachel Gallagher

The day has been one of washing, ironing, packing, shopping and generally preparing to be away from home for 3 weeks. I have managed to get all my clothing and equipment into 2 suitcases. It's a good job there aren't any weight restrictions on the cases as the excess baggage charges would be huge (police body armour and boots weren't made to be lightweight). My cases between them weigh almost 45 kgs - most of that weight is police uniform that I'll be needing whilst in London.

It's an early night tonight for two reasons, firstly I'm adjusting back into 'day mode' after working nights and secondly because I have to be up at 5 am to get to police headquarters for a final briefing before I leave for London.

- PC Tony Hayhurst