'Boy racers' turned out to be Top Gear stars, says Darlington PCSO called to Arena

8:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Hannah Bryan, Reporter (Darlington)

James May, front, and Jeremy Clarkson take lunch during filming in Darlington. James May, front, and Jeremy Clarkson take lunch during filming in Darlington.

AN officer who turned up on his bicycle to answer a call about drivers performing noisy stunts at a former football stadium ended up quipping with a television motoring star.

After receiving a call from a concerned member of the public about noise nuisance at the Neasham Road Arena, in Darlington, police sent a police community support officer (PCSO) along to investigate.

However, after pedalling to the stadium, PCSO James Metcalfe, found Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig filming a future episode of Top Gear in the grounds.

PCSO Metcalfe said: “Someone from the Firthmoor area behind the stadium had called in to complain about the noise coming from the grounds.

“When I got there I was expecting to see some kids doing some handbrake turns, pulling “donuts” and causing a bit of a nuisance, but instead it turned out to be Top Gear.

“It was a little unexpected to say the least. I saw James May and The Stig sat in a car, and briefly spoke to Jeremy Clarkson.

“He said to me ‘In London, they issue the police with cars’.”

A spokeswoman for businessmen Graham Scott and Philip Sizer, the owners of the stadium, said the production company had full permission to use the grounds and they had no issues with the activities taking place.

Before filming at the stadium, the petrolhead pair had spent the day at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, driving high-powered Mercedes Benz and BMW supercars.

After the duo joked about The Northern Echo’s free fish and chips offer on social networking site, Twitter, an Echo reporter headed to the site with two free portions to show them the North- East’s takeaway grub is no laughing matter.

Clarkson said: “We were reading the paper and saw the offer, which made us both really chuckle.

“As soon as I saw it, I thought, ‘Now I’m back home’. I was seriously thinking about nipping out and getting some during our break, but you beat us to it and they are absolutely fabulous.”

Comments (15)

7:11pm Thu 23 Aug 12

NO EINSTEIN says...

They sent a PCSO, blimey if there had been trouble he would of sorted them out (not), there about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but do know the best tea stops, and security offices for a rest, after doing nothing.
They sent a PCSO, blimey if there had been trouble he would of sorted them out (not), there about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but do know the best tea stops, and security offices for a rest, after doing nothing. NO EINSTEIN

7:18pm Thu 23 Aug 12

niki_s_uk says...

Cheeky git Clarkson .. I personally think the police on bikes is quite a good idea for non emergencies ... it doesn't announce their presence and the can get right into and through estates where cars can't get ... stop paying this egotistical pratt all what the BBC do out of our t.v. license's and give it to the police and we would have far more officers on our streets!
Cheeky git Clarkson .. I personally think the police on bikes is quite a good idea for non emergencies ... it doesn't announce their presence and the can get right into and through estates where cars can't get ... stop paying this egotistical pratt all what the BBC do out of our t.v. license's and give it to the police and we would have far more officers on our streets! niki_s_uk

11:47pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Heavylift says...

A lot of people bang on about Clarkson getting all the precious licence payer's dosh but just think of this; with the worldwide broadcasting & sindication rights the BBC enjoys, the revenue generated is far more than the salary of the "egotistical prat". One "t" not two by the way. Ahh, the politics of stupid envy is alive and kicking on the NE website, God bless free speech. PS: some of us actually just sit down and watch this as entertainment, very much as other site and watch over-paid monosyllabic thugs (who own more Porches, Maserati's and Bentleys than anyone else) kick a football about.
A lot of people bang on about Clarkson getting all the precious licence payer's dosh but just think of this; with the worldwide broadcasting & sindication rights the BBC enjoys, the revenue generated is far more than the salary of the "egotistical prat". One "t" not two by the way. Ahh, the politics of stupid envy is alive and kicking on the NE website, God bless free speech. PS: some of us actually just sit down and watch this as entertainment, very much as other site and watch over-paid monosyllabic thugs (who own more Porches, Maserati's and Bentleys than anyone else) kick a football about. Heavylift

11:53pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Heavylift says...

Correction: "Sit and watch", "Porsches, Maseratis and Bentleys." Really must get some better fingers........
Correction: "Sit and watch", "Porsches, Maseratis and Bentleys." Really must get some better fingers........ Heavylift

12:18am Fri 24 Aug 12

maclaren says...

Well said heavylift my thoughts exactly
Well said heavylift my thoughts exactly maclaren

12:20am Fri 24 Aug 12

maclaren says...

Footballers getting paid £250'000 a week and nobody say's jack ****
Footballers getting paid £250'000 a week and nobody say's jack **** maclaren

8:44am Fri 24 Aug 12

stevegg says...

NO EINSTEIN wrote:
They sent a PCSO, blimey if there had been trouble he would of sorted them out (not), there about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but do know the best tea stops, and security offices for a rest, after doing nothing.
Quite right, £20k+ a year for basically walking/riding about doing almost nothing with no more powers than you or I, if any offences are being committed guess who they have to call as they cannot deal with them - yes, a real police officer. Cut these plastic wannabees instead of real police officers!
[quote][p][bold]NO EINSTEIN[/bold] wrote: They sent a PCSO, blimey if there had been trouble he would of sorted them out (not), there about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but do know the best tea stops, and security offices for a rest, after doing nothing.[/p][/quote]Quite right, £20k+ a year for basically walking/riding about doing almost nothing with no more powers than you or I, if any offences are being committed guess who they have to call as they cannot deal with them - yes, a real police officer. Cut these plastic wannabees instead of real police officers! stevegg

9:53am Fri 24 Aug 12

niki_s_uk says...

Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift?

I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you.

There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job.

As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them.

Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field.

Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number?
Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift? I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you. There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job. As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them. Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field. Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number? niki_s_uk

10:01am Fri 24 Aug 12

niki_s_uk says...

Footballers also think their highly paid jobs entitle them to say and do what they like - would you or I get off a blatant racial abuse charge that even a non lip reader can see what was said? .... I think not.

Revenue from Top Gear goes where? Straight back in the BBC's pocket - it doesn't reduce the t.v. licence does it?

It goes for the BBC to pay the likes of Jonathan Ross and formerly Russell Brand ... yep, a brilliant way to spend money!
Footballers also think their highly paid jobs entitle them to say and do what they like - would you or I get off a blatant racial abuse charge that even a non lip reader can see what was said? .... I think not. Revenue from Top Gear goes where? Straight back in the BBC's pocket - it doesn't reduce the t.v. licence does it? It goes for the BBC to pay the likes of Jonathan Ross and formerly Russell Brand ... yep, a brilliant way to spend money! niki_s_uk

1:20pm Fri 24 Aug 12

aquickrant says...

Maybe its just me! But I dont really see how Clarkson saying what he did is really an insult to anyone. He is a humourous guy whether you like it or not and he will crack jokes. I dont see any harm.

These people who think that the comment was offensive must lead a very sad and uninteresting life.
Maybe its just me! But I dont really see how Clarkson saying what he did is really an insult to anyone. He is a humourous guy whether you like it or not and he will crack jokes. I dont see any harm. These people who think that the comment was offensive must lead a very sad and uninteresting life. aquickrant

9:41pm Fri 24 Aug 12

NO EINSTEIN says...

niki_s_uk wrote:
Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift?

I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you.

There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job.

As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them.

Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field.

Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number?
"The PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers," Your wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong, they do not, im sorry and I DO KNOW, these people are useless, and as about much USE as dog poo.
There powers are virtually none existent, and the ones they do have they never use.
The one i came across in London had such bad english that a Nigerian tourist stopped to translate, (i kid you not) it was the 4th of September 2011 in Covent Garden.
[quote][p][bold]niki_s_uk[/bold] wrote: Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift? I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you. There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job. As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them. Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field. Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number?[/p][/quote]"The PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers," Your wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong, they do not, im sorry and I DO KNOW, these people are useless, and as about much USE as dog poo. There powers are virtually none existent, and the ones they do have they never use. The one i came across in London had such bad english that a Nigerian tourist stopped to translate, (i kid you not) it was the 4th of September 2011 in Covent Garden. NO EINSTEIN

11:55pm Sat 25 Aug 12

lilboysmammy says...

http://www.apa.polic
e.uk/public-campaign
s/police-stops/pcso-
powers
http://www.apa.polic e.uk/public-campaign s/police-stops/pcso- powers lilboysmammy

11:25am Mon 27 Aug 12

timsinc says...

Heavylift wrote:
A lot of people bang on about Clarkson getting all the precious licence payer's dosh but just think of this; with the worldwide broadcasting & sindication rights the BBC enjoys, the revenue generated is far more than the salary of the "egotistical prat". One "t" not two by the way. Ahh, the politics of stupid envy is alive and kicking on the NE website, God bless free speech. PS: some of us actually just sit down and watch this as entertainment, very much as other site and watch over-paid monosyllabic thugs (who own more Porches, Maserati's and Bentleys than anyone else) kick a football about.
Just so you can keep everyone on track with their spelling, Heavylift, it's syndication with a 'y' not 'i'.
[quote][p][bold]Heavylift[/bold] wrote: A lot of people bang on about Clarkson getting all the precious licence payer's dosh but just think of this; with the worldwide broadcasting & sindication rights the BBC enjoys, the revenue generated is far more than the salary of the "egotistical prat". One "t" not two by the way. Ahh, the politics of stupid envy is alive and kicking on the NE website, God bless free speech. PS: some of us actually just sit down and watch this as entertainment, very much as other site and watch over-paid monosyllabic thugs (who own more Porches, Maserati's and Bentleys than anyone else) kick a football about.[/p][/quote]Just so you can keep everyone on track with their spelling, Heavylift, it's syndication with a 'y' not 'i'. timsinc

5:00pm Mon 27 Aug 12

Daza says...

Better to send a PCSO to this type of Job than a PC.

Let's face it, in the society we live in now, i.e lots of calls about nothing such as noisy neighbours, dog fouling, kids hanging around on street corners etc, etc, etc, basically a totally intolerant society. It's better to send a PCSO than to waste an officers time is it not?
Better to send a PCSO to this type of Job than a PC. Let's face it, in the society we live in now, i.e lots of calls about nothing such as noisy neighbours, dog fouling, kids hanging around on street corners etc, etc, etc, basically a totally intolerant society. It's better to send a PCSO than to waste an officers time is it not? Daza

12:39pm Fri 31 Aug 12

ktb_84 says...

niki_s_uk wrote:
Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift?

I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you.

There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job.

As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them.

Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field.

Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number?
You too niki_s_uk, perhaps you should proof read before posting also?
[quote][p][bold]niki_s_uk[/bold] wrote: Ah .. correcting others isn't so clever when you make your own errors us it heavylift? I am actually on a small phone rather than my laptop and can spell perfectly well thank you. There is absolutely no need for Clarkson's not so smart comments to a person going about his/her normal job. As for no powers .. the PCSO's now have nearly as many powers as regular officers stevegg ... and as for their rate of pay, they probably enjoy the daily abuse hurled at them. Granted you do get some jumped up squirts wanting to throw their weight around but the majority of the PCSO's do a good job and there are good and bad in every job ..... equally in the entertainment field. Who is stopping anyone from applying to be a PCSO if you think the job is such a well paid cushy number?[/p][/quote]You too niki_s_uk, perhaps you should proof read before posting also? ktb_84

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