I know Chris Whitty; I’ve worked alongside him. He’s quiet & unassuming yet clear & determined. He’s dedicated his life to service with medical training & practise. He’s focused on saving lives. He needs our support; I’ll continue to listen to his advice
@PetronellaWyatt
You are the second female journalist to comment on the Senior Investigating Officers appearance - I just don’t get it. The press have an important role in holding the police to account but surely the focus should all be on finding Nicola Bulley not this
Yesterday was incredibly special. I attended my investiture at Buckingham Palace & was awarded my Damehood, DCB, by the Prince of Wales. Delayed by covid & then cancer being able to celebrate in this way, with my family, is indescribable
It’s that time of year when people get carried away with stories. I’m aware of two cases where
@metpoliceuk
officers have been photographed having a snowball fight. In one it’s with the community - that’s great community engagement 1/3
With all that’s going on in the world this feels a little self indulgent but discharged by the oncologist today. I know that others don’t have that moment & that I will always need to be alert to future risks - for now time to live life fully & with thanks for this chance
Please excuse the personal tweet. Today my amazing brother retires after 30 years on the operational front line, predominantly with
@MetTaskforce
. Proud of you Dunc & the difference you have made x
At this impending Christmas time let’s just be a little more tolerant of those who are doing their best in the hardest of circumstances. We won’t always get it right but this isn’t one of those times 3/3
Finally had the results of my one year anniversary of breast cancer scan showing ‘no suspicious areas.’ Obviously over the moon & excited by what the future may bring, professionally …. & personally with the addition of this little one to the family
Incoming Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has appointed
@DameLynneOwens
as interim Deputy Commissioner.
Sir Mark said: “She is an outstanding leader, who brings immense operational expertise & experience driven by the value of public service.”
⬇️
A thread ….. some personal news. I recently received a diagnosis that I have treatable breast cancer. To lead with authenticity & candour I have told our officers & partners, being overwhelmed by messages of support & encouragement 1/
@PeterBleksley
I see an incredibly smart officer alongside the community. Was this taken at the Trafalgar Square Diwali event today? She has my full support
Cheers to the policeman in the puddle yesterday and his colleagues trying to keep a straight face every time this happened. They kept us entertained in the rain!
#Coronation
#BestofBritish
@GBNEWS
Restrictions are in place to save lives. If only some people would spend less time trying to work out how to get around the law or guidance (criticising hard working police in the process) & just selflessly stay at home. It’s really not that complicated.
In another they are targeting one another in a moment of downtime. Our people do stressful jobs & I have no problem with them having a small moment of fun. Of course they need to be aware of the perceptions of professionalism 2/3
My first swimsuit for my post mastectomy body arrived today & I am very happy with it. A few months ago I’d have posted a photo to give other breast cancer sufferers hope but I think that will provoke odd reactions now I’m in this role - hopefully the words will be enough!
Officer safety training for me today (handcuffs, baton etc) enabling me to deploy operationally alongside officers on New Year. Slightly nervous about the impact on my cancer affected side because of the physicality of it but leadership requires that we do what we ask of others
How brave was this officer - she chased, detained & hang onto a suspect found to be armed! This needs to get much attention. Accountability needs to recognise the good as well as bad & she undoubtedly saved lives or prevented serious injury
I retire on Monday & then surgery Tuesday. I am beyond grateful to all
@NCA_UK
officers for the send off they gave me. The very many messages alongside their gathering to clap will stay with me for a long while. They will carry on - they are
#proudtoprotect
@EamonnHolmes
Disparaging comments when my colleagues are mid dealing with a serious incident are deeply unhelpful.
@CCIanHopkins
supplied facts as known
Standing room only at Charing Cross with many more outside. Clear briefings with officers, understanding the expectations of them. Proud to serve
#coronation
This is fair feedback. The priority this morning was getting the Commissioner & I (variously) out to the hospital & to the station (where the team were based) whilst managing the State event, with responsibilities there. We needed to find the time to better form the statement.
Despite the intensity of my current role & the requirements of ‘on call’ I’ve taken a moment today to reflect. A year ago this week I retired from
@NCA_UK
& the following day had a right breast mastectomy. Not a period I would have chosen but content with where I now am
Grateful to everyone for their kind words & best wishes. After successful surgery yesterday I’m pleased to be back home today. My Surgeons parting words ‘take it easy.’ For once in my life I intend to listen
#breastcancer
This account existed before I took on my current role. I’ve had to rein in the personal content but some have missed the dogs …… so an annual leave day walking with this pair in the beautiful sun is worth a share
I am beyond proud of our officers & grateful for the work of partner agencies. This is a momentous operation & effort with the results speaking for themselves. Leading the UKs fight to cut serious & organised crime - doing what it says on the tin!
National Crime Agency and police have smashed thousands of criminal conspiracies after the infiltration of encrypted communication platform
#EncroChat
in the UK's biggest ever law enforcement operation.
Read more ➡️
At the hospital today for a check up. All good …. My Consultant ‘this is the healthiest I have seen you.’ I’m grateful they are keeping an eye on me but pleased I don’t have to go back for another 6 months 💪🎉🎉
#breastcancer
Undercover policing is a highly specialised & regulated tactic undertaken by brave officers to protect the public from the most serious offenders. I’d encourage
@LushLtd
to visit
@NCA_UK
to receive a contemporary briefing
Touched & humbled by the many messages yesterday. I tried to keep up but apologies if I didn’t get to yours. For those asking the puppy & Springer are slowly making friends…. As long as he doesn’t have to look at her 😂
Well the pup slept from 2200 - 0215 when she decided she needed the toilet. Played until 0300 but then back to sleep until 0530. Not too bad so let’s celebrate with her first ever
#tongueouttuesday
👇Shocked & humbled but delighted to be able to celebrate alongside two other Agency officers & many others in the law enforcement family who dedicate their lives to protecting the public
NCA’s role in targeting the most harmful serious and organised crime offenders highlighted with a string of New Year’s Honours, including for
@NCA_LynneOwens
who has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB).
This morning I chaired
@metpoliceuk
significant change & investment board. This afternoon I went for my ‘one year post mastectomy’ breast cancer check. All was fine & I just reflect on the rollercoaster of life
From one uniform to another. Delighted to be accepted as a
@RoyalVolService
volunteer. Induction, training & then deployment the week after next. Giving something back at the hospital that treated me - hopefully there for patients, staff & visitors at their time of need
My niece finishes night duty as a nurse, my daughter a day shift as a police officer. We pray they both lateral flow test negative so that we can all safely be together with my parents. The price of public service (including people like supermarket workers) is significant
Today I am 53 - 52 was pants! Set myself a goal of being back running 10k &, with the help of a new watch from the lovely Mr & Miss O, I smashed it 🎉🎉🎉 Feeling it in the radiotherapy damaged lymph system but no pain no gain. Let’s do this 53
#goodnewssaturday
This weeks purchases have arrived! Now time to get working on those shoes - standards matter in my view as they link directly to how the public see us.
Some news …. How am I feeling? Proud (of the Agency and my colleagues), humbled (by the support shown to me), determined (to get through the surgery in the most healthy way possible) & positive for the future (looking for new opportunities & valued time with family/friends)
What a gorgeous day & an amazing milestone! Done my first proper run since all
#breastcancer
started. Only 2k but at the same pace as before (normal distance 10k.) Now to build distance & pace. Chest wall & back of arm aches a bit but feeling 💪 with a big smile on my face
A year ago I was recovering from radiotherapy & celebrating my road to recovery with no on call or leadership responsibilities. This year is different again but I remain deeply thankful & know others are less fortunate 🙏🌲🎅
33 years ago today I joined
@metpoliceuk
& I look forward to rejoining on 12th September. So much has changed in that time, much of it for the better. Frontline officers are under far more scrutiny than I ever was. It’s a messy world & what they encounter is messy too
Grateful for all the comments yesterday about whether I can sensibly sustain a Twitter presence in this new role. The feedback spans definitely yes to no & everything in between. A morning cuddle before another day in London - the pups presence here may be limited from 12th Sept
🎬 Clive Tebu had a loaded gun in his car when officers tried to pull him over. His desperate bid to escape saw him speed through residential areas then jump into a river.
⚖️ Thanks to the bravery of officers he didn’t get away. This week he was jailed for 5 years & 10 months.
My
#goodnewssaturday
is that the comms team
@metpoliceuk
support my trying to maintain this account. I won’t engage on Met Police matters in direct message & neither will I be able to consider specific cases or reports. Hoping I can still add value to the general chat
Been out for a run, beauty in the world around me & reflecting that two years ago June/July I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve returned to policing even more determined to make a difference but my tolerance for the things that hold us back or are simply games is also lower
An honour to take the oath this morning with the Commissioner … recognising the solemnity of this time but with a commitment to serve His Majesty The King. Our promises to the people of London too, words (then actions) matter
I’d just finished my volunteering when I received a call passing on this news on behalf of Cress. Behind the uniform & the role is a human being - its’s that person who is in my thoughts tonight. I’ve never doubted she cared passionately about London, the Met & their people.
Well that was a first! Grateful for all the messages of support & encouragement. Above all though thanks to those across the whole law enforcement family who are tirelessly protecting the public
DG
@NCA_LynneOwens
: Serious and organised criminals are looking to take advantage of these unprecedented times. It is showing them for what they really are – amoral, corrupt and exploitative.
I want to assure you that the NCA is responding as quickly as ever to stop them.
My retired police officer brother kindly took me to radiotherapy. In line with the pattern they were running 1 hour late. His message reply ‘don’t worry I’m eating doughnuts in the car park.’ I thought the ‘s’ was superfluous but no, he ate 4 in 1 hour 😂 Very grateful though ❤️
A brilliant afternoon with Mr O in London enjoying a champagne afternoon tea courtesy of our very special daughter ❤️ He made short work of the cake ….. me of the champagne 😂
Officers fearlessly ran into a burning building to rescue those trapped inside.
They arrived in under five minutes and thanks to their quick action no one suffered serious injuries.
Seven officers and six residents were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and
Lots of new journalists suddenly following me & asking for follows back. Must be fascinated by springer spaniels, tales of running or maybe it’s something else …… 🤷♀️ 😂😂😂
My feed has been a bit serious this week. Todays very soggy walk has left him with a fetching hair quiff. Made me smile, so one for all the dog lovers out there
The deadline for
@metpoliceuk
Commissioner applications is tomorrow. To prevent speculation & in the interests of transparency I’m not applying. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve had as I’ve worked through my decision 1/
An important update that I know will interest after so many have expressed concern & sent best wishes to our officers. I’m grateful to those on the MIT who have worked tirelessly on this & to
@CPSUK
for authorising appropriate charges
30 years ago today I joined
@metpoliceuk
. Thinking about all the people I have met over the years & the many outstanding people I have worked alongside including my gnarly, traditional ex TSG Inspector who wrote this - still proud of it now 1/2
At a very human level this will be an immensely emotional day for Cress & it’s lovely to see these photographs. People rightly want to show their thanks & respect to her after almost 40 years of public service 👏👏👏👏👏👏
📸 | Officers and staff say goodbye to Commissioner Cressida Dick at New Scotland Yard.
This afternoon the Commissioner will lead her final graduation parade marking record numbers of Met officers.
This is a first - it is important to local communities that crime doesn’t pay & to protect the UK economy from illicit funds. Superb work by our investigators & legal team after a referral from
@WestYorksPolice
, great partners
A short thread - it has been an honour & privilege for
@metpoliceuk
, supported by other forces & partners, to serve His Majesty the King in the period of mourning & to escort Her Majesty the Queen in her final journey 1/
Thank you; leading the impressive officers of the Agency & across our partners is a privileged. Relentlessly focussed on protecting the public from the scourge of serious & organised crime
Lynne is an outstanding Director General of
@NCA_UK
and I am delighted to confirm her reappointment during a critical time in the fight against serious and organised crime.
When I joined policing, like many ex officers on here, I made many mistakes - everyone does. The difference was that my errors were quietly debriefed or self corrected. Now their every move is recorded & amplified - of course they/we must be accountable 1/2
In at New Scotland Yard today to receive briefings on the significant events & issues
@metpoliceuk
are working on. I took the opportunity to talk to some of the officers deployed. I look forward to taking the oath tomorrow & working alongside them
Back to the hospital for the post surgery results. 3 weeks of radiotherapy, many years of hormone suppressing drugs & then infusions twice a year to protect my bones - but hopefully that’s it. Within 6 weeks I go for my prosthetic breast fitting too - weird eh!
#breastcancer
Signing off for 2 weeks leave. I’ll dip on/off here occasionally but won’t be prioritising
@metpoliceuk
issues or responses. Time for a bit of 🏃♀️ 🍷 ☀️ 🐶 📖 🪴with family & friends
To protect my skin from radiotherapy I moisturise regularly. I spend the evening without my breast prosthetic in. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that image, glanced in a mirror. It’s saved my life but it’s different. I’m not ashamed or sad - it’s just odd 🤷♀️
#breastcancer
Pup update - Day 5! Sleeping through from 10pm - 5.30am, Springers starting to realise she may be fun ….. the garden is taking a bit of punishment but hey it’s all dried up anyway. I’m off to New Scotland Yard, not afraid to confess I’m excited. Lots to do!
Been watching the debate about DCC Rachel Swanns hair this week. She is a well respected & highly capable operationally focussed leader - she’s also human. It’s legitimate to have a polite conversation about standards. It isn’t to be sexist, homophobic or otherwise insulting
…. & for those who are here for dog content - there are numerous comfy dog beds throughout the house but this foot stall is the pups ‘go to’ having got wet charging around the garden
I agree - superb work. I love the way the officer repositions the helmet to be correctly positioned so the young lad has standards too 😂. I shall track the officer down to say thank you
What is it about a sweaty, one boob, 53 year old female runner that makes men think sounding the horn & leering out the window the thing to do! Muttered swear words my response but really … give it a break & tell your friends to as well
Annual leave comes to an end so the last of these two for a while. Email already contains at least 3 significant issues starting with ‘welcome back/hope you had a good leave but this …’ Unrelenting but we go again 💪
Despite their allegedly being no strikes tomorrow the
@SW_Help
trains into London are much reduced. My first train is an hour & a half after I need it to leave. I feel for our officers who work shifts - truly shocking service
We have had to keep this tight until now. It happened at the height of the first stage of the pandemic. Words do not do justice to the priority we gave it. Had the threat become public it would have heightened fear & further impacted on an already pressurised NHS. 1/2
An Italian national who attempted to extort £10 million from the NHS by threatening to bomb a hospital in the UK has been convicted.
Emil Apreda was sentenced to three years in prison.
Read more ➡️
‘Our’ officers includes those on mutual aid, the police staff & many partners who have worked alongside us - as the video shows. We are all honoured to serve
His Majesty The King Charles III visited our Special Operations Room today to thank our officers who have been keeping visitors safe as they pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen.
So today
Covid booster - protecting myself & others ✔️
Last radiotherapy session - giving me a second chance at life ✔️
Small gift for the radiotherapy staff - to thank them for all they are doing to treat cancer despite the pandemic ✔️
Sadly back in hospital with a nasty infection. Enjoyed watching
#PoliceBravery
awards virtually & hope to be there for the next one at
@PFEW_Chair
invitation. Amazing people doing brilliant things
0400 & the buzz at our ops centre at Lambeth is building. Officers & staff coming to the end of tours of duty - others arriving having paraded at base stations at 0300. Time to catch up with our night duty Golf Commander & then out to the first briefings.
#Coronation
In Christmas week just recognising this is my first festive period in 32 years not on duty or on call. It should feel more celebratory than it does - a mix of the implications of covid & a choice dictated by cancer I guess 🤷♀️. Cancer free now though & thinking of those who aren’t
Matt is an outstanding leader who leads the country &
@metpoliceuk
counter terrorism teams through some of our highest operational risks. That he spends an ounce of his talent on trying to see things from others perspectives is a measure of the man.
ICYMI: “I make no apologies for spending a fraction of a long working week ensuring women who make a massive contribution to the Met whilst experiencing the menopause feel recognised and supported."
A privilege to meet some of PC Keith Palmers family, colleagues &, alongside them & the Speaker of both Houses of Parliament, to lay a wreath during a short private service. He gave his all - we will never forget
We remember those who lost their lives in the Westminster Bridge attack six years ago.
Aysha Frade, Kurt Cochran, Leslie Rhodes, Andreea Cristea and PC Keith Palmer who was protecting the Houses of Parliament that day.
Our thoughts remain with all those affected on that day.
Thank you so much for sharing the photo & for making the time to chat. Pleased you had such an amazing time - many of our officers & those deployed from elsewhere will see this, appreciated
Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks to all of you who contacted me over the past 24 hours with some of the kindest comments about the award of my Damehood. I couldn’t keep up in responding to each personally but I’m truly touched & humbled.
Completed the final stage of
@metpoliceuk
recruitment process today alongside aspiring officers & staff. A truly impressive machine with brilliant people working hard to get the right people in. From fitness testing to medical to drugs, & other, tests. So many keen people too.
Our teams have been working tirelessly on this all weekend. Particular shout out to the
@ukhomeoffice
Border Force Officer who made the original intervention - imagine the damage these weapons could have done on our streets
A man has been charged after 60 guns were found hidden in a Volkswagen Passat arriving at the Port of Dover from Calais. Working with Border Force we have removed a huge haul of lethal firearms. Read the full story here:
A little tweet to make people smile. We may have paid a visit to
@Flip_FlopCop
this week & reserved this beautiful little girl as a playmate for the mad springer. All such gorgeous pups so a hard choice. Roll on first week in August, can’t wait!
A thread for the policing Twitter community. Next week Baroness Casey will release her currently embargoed report on culture & standards
@metpoliceuk
. Of course I have seen it - for those of us who care our emotional response will be raw 1/3
Roses are red
The
@metpoliceuk
is blue
Despite what X says …. Daily
Officers & staff are there for you 🌹
Let’s make Valentines Day a good one - thinking of those missing loved ones - here to protect those who may fear or be subjected to violence