Undercover Police
1: A 7 month old Vauxhall Vectra (in silver) is not the only available surveillance vehicle.
Try for something more local, e.g. V reg Nissan Primera in bottle green, Rover Metro (dysentry beige) or, if in Benwell, a burnt out Renault Megane. On bricks.

2: When choosing your outfit, think of something that may make you blend in. A local football team shirt is usually a good option, but do make sure it's not your one with "ROZZERS" and the number "999" on the back.
A white shirt, blue jeans, white trainers and leather/denim jacket are not as inconspicuous as you may think, unless you're doing a stakeout in the 80's. Here's a clue: look around you, but don't for the love of cunting fuck try to dress like the yoof. You might as well wear your high vis jacket and your tit hat.

3: On the subject of aforementioned police garb: don't leave it on the back parcel shelf of your surveillance vehicle.

4: Sitting in one spot staring at a front door with your engine running for 3 hours may well be thought of as being a wee bit suspicious. Even in Benwell.

5: IF you want to get entry to a property pretending to be from the gas board, then at least have a passing fucking clue what a gas meter/boiler looks like. By the way, they all stopped wearing overalls in the 80's.

6: When you go for coffee and doughnuts and the friendly shopkeep asks you what you're doing in this part of town, don't say. "oh we're watching a house. You know, number 97. 3 doors down from here. The one with a red door. Turns out he likes drugs, guns and midget porn. But keep it quiet." He may have friends in the area.
( Undercovercarrot got done for gross misconduct on..., Sat 28 Mar 2009, 7:42, Reply)