Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Temporary Police Sergeant Emma White gives her first-hand account of what it feels like to be a front-line officer and what she faced on Monday 5 August when violent disorder broke out on to the streets of Plymouth:

I joined the Force in January 2021 as a response officer in Crownhill Police Station.

On Monday I thought that there would just be a lot of anti-social behaviour, predominantly from people who wanted to misbehave under the guise of the protest. I didn’t think that we would have the level of disorder from all sides, from all ages, and genders.

I volunteered for public order over time to police the gatherings and to provide a neighbourhood-style approach to engage with the communities and to dissipate any of the tensions that there may have been.

I didn’t expect that level of disorder seen, I didn’t anticipate fireworks to be set off and thrown by the people. I also didn’t expect bricks to be thrown, I thought if things were going to be thrown it would be bottles and cans (which were also thrown). I didn’t expect it to be as sustained either, I thought that once objects started to be thrown and the disorder escalated that a lot of people would have left but it didn’t seem the case as both sides stood their ground for an extended period of time.

I had confidence in our command structure that we would be able to manage the disorder and come to a safe resolution. I knew there was a lot of planning going on behind the scenes which enabled us to have it under control and managed.

“You have to trust those around you.”

I see my fellow officers as a great support. You have to trust those around you, and this is what helps you get through these nervy situations, knowing that everyone around you has your back and is there to support and protect one another.

My loved ones have all been shocked at the level of disorder: when I got back to my phone I had numerous messages, even from people who live in different countries checking in and telling me to stay safe. I think they’ve all been very concerned in particular with live news stating officers were injured and they had no idea whether this was me or not for hours. My friends are generally just pleased I was safe and uninjured.

We have also received a lot of nice feedback from members of the public. Several people have sent messages into the police email inbox thanking us for the work we have done. My friends are generally just pleased I safe and uninjured.

“Having bricks thrown at you isn’t nice.”

I wasn’t frightened as I was confident in my training, the team I had around me, and the supervision from our command structure. Having bricks thrown at you isn’t nice but you have all the right protective equipment to keep you protected and safe. It is amazing how long you can hold your shield up to protect you when needed. There were certainly times of heightened concern when you knew the groups were moving towards one another, but the adrenaline overcomes that and allows you to do as you need to protect others around you and yourself.

Following the disorder on Monday I have had three additional public order shifts, which is nearly 30 hours on top of my normal duties. We have been a contingency locally and nationally to deal with disorder but thankfully the disorder hasn’t continued. I also have another shift coming up where I will again be a contingency to deal with any planned or spontaneous protests.

Over the last week, I have been involved being in two shifts for the disorder in Weymouth where bottles and eggs were thrown at us and the Plymouth disorder.

“A sense of pride”

I am proud of my role to serve and protect. We are here to protect all members of the public and to put myself on the line between opposing groups is what I have signed up to do. It is so important to me to keep the public safe and ensure they go home unharmed. I feel proud of what we achieved and how we managed that night. It did fill me with a sense of pride. I can say I was there in the middle of the disorder protecting people and doing our best to prevent harm to everyone. I am proud to be a public order officer and to use my skills and training to great effect.”