Meet the beat bobbies

Published on Thursday 27 December 2007 09:19

THE Police are best known for chart-topping songs such as Roxanne, Message in a Bottle and Walking on the Moon.

But now an Edinburgh trio of real police officers have become a hit with their colleagues after creating their own dance remix of a Lionel Ritchie song.

It has proved so popular, staff at Drylaw police station have even downloaded it as mobile phone ring tones.

The tune is set to be played on Radio Forth and the threesome aim to have the anthem played in clubs across Scotland.

Pc Tony Lawrence made the remix of Running With The Night in his home music studio. The 30-year-old Drylaw community beat officer roped in two colleagues to sing on the track and the group is now hunting for a record label.

Pc Lewis Hughes, who once sang in an X Factor audition, provided the lead vocal, while Pc Lynsay Claxton sang the female backing track. Pc Lawrence has long pursued a side-career in music. He said: "I spend my time either walking the beat or coming up with beats. When I heard the Lionel Ritchie original I thought it would make a great dance tune. I came up with something and it sounds really cheesy and fun.

"I was looking for someone to sing the vocal and Lewis said he would do it. He's a good singer and did an X Factor audition, although he didn't get through because he forgot his words.

"This time I wrote the lyrics down for him and he sung it in my bedroom."

Pc Lawrence, an officer for seven years, has a home studio in his bedroom in Uphall, West Lothian, complete with a PC, midi-keyboard, microphone and sequencing software.

He said: "I started making music in the early-90s when I would make rave tunes and play them on the school bus.

"Later on I was a DJ for discos in West Lothian then I was a drummer in a punk band so music's always been a big part of my life.

"My sister is a classically-trained musician so I'm trying to prove myself to her with a DIY approach.

"I do a lot of dance tracks and Chemical Brothers-type stuff which keeps me busy. But I think this song could be excellent to dance to in the clubs, so we're looking for a label to sign us."

He added: "We've been getting a lot of stick for doing it, especially Lewis and Lynsay, but the other cops really like it."

Pc Lawrence was recently voted Best Urban Community Beat Officer at the first National Neighbourhood Awards Ceremony in Perth.

He was nominated by local co-ordinator Andrew Tait after walking the beat in Granton, where the scheme helped solve a string of local housebreakings.

Inspector Doug Stirling, from Drylaw Police Station, said his officers deserved the prize. He added: "I have first-hand experience of Pc Lawrence's dedication and commitment and I am delighted that the community we serve has recognised his efforts."