PM Kennedy (Reporter for B.B.C. News team): The time is three in the morning. The place is a police station, a few miles north of Birmingham. The day is July 3rd. Here around me, in the early morning half-light are several hundred policemen, gathering for one of their biggest raids in Great Britain, since the second of the so-called ‘Angry Brigade’ assaults in 1974. Here with me I have Assistant Chief Constable Stout, who is heading the operation. An operation that could spell the end for the gang of motorcycle outlaws reportedly hiding out a few miles from here. Chief Constable, could you tell me a little about this gang?’
Assistant Chief Constable Stout: Well, as far as we know, they seem to be the gang that call themselves the “Last Heroes”. You’ll probably remember that this was the gang that we suspect may be able to help us with our investigations into the Holloway Bank job.’
PM Kennedy: ‘Do you know any of their names?’
Stout: ‘Well, I believe that the leader is still a man named ‘Vincent’ – after the famous horror-film actor – but we have reason to believe that there is some kind of power struggle going on within the Angels, and that a man named “Wolf” is trying to take over the presidency.’
Phil Kennedy: ‘How many do you think there are? And, could you tell us about rumours that film stars Tarquin Wells and Nancy Thompson are in the quarry with director Donn Simon, making a film about the Hell’s Angels?’
Stout: ‘I would prefer not to comment on who else may be involved, as this might prejudice any trial that may result from our investigations. I would only say that it has come to my attention that rumours, such as you have just mentioned, are going the rounds. To answer the first part of your question, we believe that there could be as many as fifty outlaws up there. We aim to find out precisely.’
Phil Kennedy: ‘What are your instructions to your men if the Hell’s Angels attempt to resist?’
Stout: ‘I’m sorry. I really can’t divulge that to you. All I can say is that we hope that there will be no violence. We are certainly not going to go in there looking for it. Although, just in case of trouble, I have ordered that certain selected officers may carry arms. I will not expose them to any unnecessary danger from these hooligans. The sooner they are all behind bars the better.’
Phil Kennedy: ‘Of course, they will have to be tried first, won’t they?’
Stout: ‘Oh, yes. Of course. That’s what I meant. But, we think that these are the same group that went on that run up the motorways, killing and raping as they went. We also suspect that their numbers have been swelled by local hoodlums. If they are in uniforms or have any sort of paramilitary organisation we’ll have them ... I mean we will be forced to take action against them under sub-section seventeen, sorry, as you were, eighteen, of Home Secretary Hayes’ Act on the subject!
Phil Kennedy: The operation is scheduled to begin just before dawn. Squads of police will shortly be moving into their planned positions. Mr. Stout; I’m sure that all the viewers will join with me in wishing you the very best of luck in stamping out this gang.’
Stout: Thank you, Phil. As long as everyone remembers that the law is for the protection of the people. We only do our job.’
Phil Kennedy: ‘Assistant Chief Constable Stout, thank you.’