West Midlands Police are more used to 999 calls than 90-ball bingo calls, but officers on a crime prevention day at Moxley People’s Centre on March 20th found themselves taking to the podium to help residents with their weekly game.
The Golden 55s Club is a regular community group, where elderly residents are given the opportunity to meet with their friends, socialise and go on prearranged trips further afield.
On March 20th, officers including PC Ian Probert were present with the intention of handing out ultraviolet security pens, window stickers, guides to crime prevention and other security measures to help reduce the risks of residents being robbed or otherwise becoming victims of crime.
However, they had not planned for what ended up happening – and were surprised to find the residents incorporated them into their bingo game as guest callers.
PC Probert explains: “We went along to the club to give the members some advice, but ended up helping out with the bingo!
“We even received some compliments from some of the members on our bingo-calling technique.”
Fred Greeson, who manages Moxley People’s Centre, says the chance for the elderly residents to meet with local law enforcement is an important way to keep them reassured about their safety.
He says: “This has built up a level of trust within the community and residents are reassured that their local police officers make regular contact with them, offering advice and support.”
Bingo has long attracted some unusual callers – many of whom have become much more widely known for other pursuits in the years since their careers began.
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is one of the most famous faces to list bingo calling among their previous jobs, while British actor Shane Richie is among the UK’s most recognisable former bingo callers.
Particularly surprising for many people could be the fact that not one, but two globally recognisable boyband members can also list bingo calling on their CVs.
According to the National Bingo Association, former Blue member Simon Webbe began his career as a bingo caller, along with Kian Egan – a member of one of the most successful boybands of all time, Westlife.
With such names among the profession’s past practitioners, the officers of West Midlands Police might feel that they are in good company – as well as helping to make contact with the residents in their local community.
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