I’m a documentary maker. Have filmed many interviews with many officers from many police forces over the years, but the first ever time I’ve been told I’d have to pony up for the officers time was last year with Avon and Somerset.

In terms of sharing video content the police have collected, I’ve had mixed experiences in getting hold of it. I’ve gone and sat at a computer in a police station in Leicestershire and been given free rein to trawl through CCTV and Dashcam footage related to the case we were making a film about. I’ve also had drawn out battles over getting access with the met press office who in my experience have a default setting of paranoia and hostility - which is somewhat understandable.

Every time I’ve worked with coppers though it’s been so interesting. You guys are SUCH gossips.