Behind the scenes – Sweeney

Mike Newbold worked behind the scenes filming ‘The Sweeney” as well as “The Bill”, “London’s Burning”, “Eastenders” and many other programs for TV. Whilst not actively involved in the “Sweeney” films on our Website he thought that we would be interested in some background photos and information as a result of his association.

The following sequence was taken in the old part of St. Katharine Dock, near Tower Bridge, the number plate of the ambulance, SJA 374P, was false, the vehicle was an Ex Ford Demonstrator………

and the actual registration was YOO 786L. The “P” suffix was used 3 months before the “P” plates actually came into use thereby modernising the program when it was screened.

St. John Ambulance, Kingston purchased it from Lomas for their regular day work which included a front line Accident ambulance as an agency for London Ambulance Service. The ambulance was hired from St John at Kingston and the St John wording pasted over in white Fablon and rewritten with London Ambulance Service title and a GLC badge. 

In time Mike was asked by St John to stop this work as they claimed it infringed the Charity status, which it didn’t as all donations received went to build an ambulance station at Kingston.  Consequently, he purchased his own ambulances and ran a film ambulance company for over 35 years.