Police ‘arrest’ Wolverhampton care home resident in surprise visit
Patricia Brooks was given a surprise police visit after joking about being arrested
An 86-year-old Wolverhampton care home resident had a lifelong wish fulfilled when local police officers arrived to “arrest” her.
Patricia Brooks, who lives at Care UK’s Foxland Grange on Wergs Road, had often joked about what it would be like to sit in a police car.
The former greengrocer had never been arrested or experienced a ride in a police vehicle, so staff decided to make her wish come true by enlisting the help of the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Team.
Officers arrived at Foxland Grange in a restored 1996 West Midlands Police Range Rover and staged a playful arrest.
PCSO Helen Denyer carried out the mock arrest before Patricia was invited to sit inside the vehicle and learn about some of its features.
Patricia said: “You get to an age where you need a bit of drama in your life. I’ve never been arrested or sat in a police car, so the thrill of having the police come outside the care home gave me great joy.”
The visit also included a meeting with seven-month-old police dog PD Obe, who residents had previously met earlier in the summer.
Patricia, who has always loved animals, said she enjoyed seeing how the dog had grown and learning more about his training.
The surprise was arranged through Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which allows residents to share wishes and interests they would like to fulfil.
Jazz Lalli, Customer Relations Manager at Foxland Grange, said staff were delighted to help make Patricia’s “hilarious fantasy” a reality and thanked Tettenhall Police for taking part.