The Brtish have a very odd relationship with the snow. It's childish glee one second, and "weather chaos" the next. By now, you're probably sick of the sight of snow -- or at least the relentless media coverage of it (the extent of which you can see here, in the Chartist's diagram for The Staggers).

But it's nice to see that some of our officers (who don't have much of a reputation for being fun-loving, carefree types) didn't lose their excitement, even after nearly a fortnight of EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS, and used, of all things, a riot shield as a makeshift tobogan to slide down a giant hill in Oxfordshire.

Superintendent Andrew Murray, Oxford City commander with Thames Valley Police (obviously trying to strike the right balance between serious and not-too-serious) said:

The snow has a habit of bringing out the child in all of us. I have spoken to the officers concerned and reminded them in no uncertain terms that tobogganing on duty, on police equipment and at taxpayers' expense is a very bad idea should they wish to progress under my command.

Judging from their squeals, I don't think they were too concerned.

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