Whenever the topic comes up of the differences between English and American policemen, I always wish there were a clip on Youtube of a scene from Danny Boyle’s pretty good 2004 Christmas movie “Millions.” It’s about two English brothers whose mum has just died and they’ve moved into a new house in a new suburban development. An English policeman comes to address the new homeowners. From the screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce (with me adding in italics an exchange I think I remember from the movie that maybe was added during filming):

Policeman: I’m your… Community Policeman. Obviously there is no community here as yet, not to speak of, but you know… Anyway the first thing to say is, these new houses and Christmas coming up … statistically, you’re going to get burgled. Now, not all of you, but some of you, soon. Probably this week, next. When you are, call me. That’s my job.

Homeowner: Is your job to prevent us from being burgled or to catch the burglars afterwards?

Policeman: Neither. I’ll give you a crime number and then you can make a claim on your insurance.