Anyone else watching Stephen Nolan's "Peelers - The PSNI for Real"

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Ever since DD moved to NI we have been discovering a part of the UK that we knew very little about. One surprise is how safe Belfast feels, despite the obvious issues, and even though DD tells us drug use is through the roof.

We loved Blue Lights (and Hope Street and How to get to Heaven from Belfast) so this new documentary series is fascinating, even though the BBC seem to be making little effort to promote it outside NI.

For me attitudes towards the PSNI are also interesting. My (Catholic) Met Police dad had cause to work the RUC during the height of the Troubles and was not impressed. If DD is to be believed, the PSNI clearly have a way to go to gain the trust of the community but this distrust seems mixed with a certain amount of pride that the PSNI copes with challenges not found elsewhere in the UK. The documentary makers will have cherry picked, but some of the diffusing of difficult situations was impressive.

The insults were also great. Poor Nolan, being called "Yer fat Bastard" by almost everyone, including the lads who invited him up to share a crack pipe. Some truly inventive dialogue, even if some of the accents were impenetrable.

Nolan is a terrible man. I'll have nothing to do with him.

I thought it was brilliant. Gave a good insight into policing in Belfast. The stand out bit for me was the woman in the hotel being all nice and asking Stephen about his Ma! Then when she was arrested “fuck you Stephen and fuck yer ma” Classy lady she was😆

Why ?

Just Google him.

I just did. 👍

Too much! He's not a good human

I didn't know much about Nolan other than he earns an extraordinary salary, especially given the overall budget of BBC NI. (Is his salary higher than the budget for all seven seasons of Hope Street?) And that he did a very good and brave documentary on Stonewall at a time when no one else would touch the subject.

I love the story of his run in with Belfast Breakfast Baps and their description of him being "about two stone off a mobility scooter himself." One day, when my daughter was working I went for a long walk to the very wonderful Templemore baths. (The attached museum is recommended.) On the way back I passed Belfast Breakfast Baps. The staff were really friendly and the other customers were there as part of a wedding anniversary celebration. Baps were good too. Later I checked their Trip Advisor reviews, which were brilliant as the owner had a snappy reply for any negative review. I did have to go back and ask what was meant by "Yer da sells Avon." Not unlike the documentary where regardless of how desperate their situation, people appeared to have spirit.

I really hope action will be taken to help sort out Belfast's drug/mental health crisis.

Can’t stand Nolan - he’s a horrible, horrible man. BUT - the TV show was great. It really does give a genuine insight into what life in the PSNI is like. The Norn Irish craic is as expected, with the put-downs definitely on the harsh side, but so accurate for life here. My DH is English and he told his brother to watch it - he was horrified at the way people spoke to Nolan - we tried to explain that that kind of “banter” is normal here.

Why does he earn so much? Seventh highest BBC earner across the whole of the UK, despite virtually no presence outside NI.

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It didn't take long to make this, I suggest turning the volume down if in company

https://www.facebook.com/reel/26882799484665499

"Do you want a rainbow drop" was a classic - such an interesting programme.

I can’t believe anyone would do that job. It’s shocking. A terrible advert for Belfast too 😱

omg that’s so funny.

Interesting- I didn’t see it that way! I work alongside police in England and didn’t think it was too different to what police deal with here.

my favourite scene in the whole series - just such a normal offer in an extremely volatile situation

The only thing I would watch involving Nolan and the PSNI is that talentless tub of shit being repeatedly run over by one of their meat wagons.

I found it fascinating. I can’t imagine why anyone why would do that job. Why is Stephen Nolan disliked?

I really enjoyed watching this. (Not from NI) The insults thrown at Stephen Nolan and the police did make me chuckle. Off to google Stephen Nolan now

I have been to Belfast and it didn’t feel particularly safe. There was a bomb scare whilst I was there. Don’t think I’ll go back after watching this.

My dad was RUC. Retired just before PSNI formed. I know 2 SB chaps.

There are still issues from The Troubles and you would be well advised to be cognisant of that.

As Gerry once said "they've not gone away, you know".

I'm just watching this on tv now, it's the 3rd episode.

Be interested to see how they handle the hardline communities - Bogside, Creggan, Tigers Bay, Andys, South Armagh borders etc.

My dad hated the pubs emptying back before the GFA - always the chance that someone was not drunk but a gunman on the hunt.

I think the difference is subtle - crowds can be sectarian ie loyalist or republican. Either can involve paramilitaries "seeing an opportunity" eg Dissident IRA groups especially.

I get that, that’s why I suggested it was similar but not the same. I was thinking of some examples in the programme though - the substance use, mental health crises, homelessness, lack of services, drunk people kicking off, large crowds threatening to riot and they are similar to what our force sees. We don’t see sectarian violence as you say but do see plenty of honour based abuse and violence.