I understand considerable disappointment is felt by many users not already in the system about EPS and CPS closing the door at least for now.

As a Canadian resident in the UK I always thought that Scotland was the part of the UK closest to Canada, in terms of culture, scenery, landscape and quality of life, even housing.

I can well understand the frustration of officers stuck in bleak English inner city areas with crap schools crap housing and crap quality of existence.

Would not a transfer to a Scottish force then be an option, where at least the schools are semi-decent and housing is cheaper and better, and at least there are not quite the same "issues" as exist in certain areas of England?

No doubt I'll get some abuse for this, but it's just a consideration.

If I was going to stay longterm in UK I'd certainly be looking at this option myself.

It's not such a daft idea guyfawkes.

I think many people, ourselves included, never even consider whether a move to a different part of the UK could turn out to be great after all.

They say a change is as good as a rest - and it's not necessary to cross the Atlantic (or Pacific) to find that sometimes.

Having said that, we lived in a nice part of the country anyway (Surrey) and if we did ever return, we'd probably go back there. Don't think I could do the weather in Scotland - she says, looking out of the window at yet more snow falling where the temp gauge currently says 1 degree (so it's a warm one today then) !

No please don't ...there's a reason why a wall was built!

'I can well understand the frustration of officers stuck in bleak English inner city areas with crap schools crap housing and crap quality of existence.'

Sounds like Glasgow!

Fair point, can't argue with that one.