Islamic State: England

by John Morris

  “That time of the month, eh. I could come round and give you a massage, no sex. Call me, or I’ll be in the local bar.”

  “I know we’ve been careful, but a girl likes confirmation. Enjoy your drink, I’ll see you next time. Thanks. Ciao.”

  Dan packed several bags, realising he would be away for a while. There was enough time, if only just, for him to attend to personal matters. Tim dropped off some stuff, and they loaded it into his car.

  Dan arrived early in Peterborough, expecting a repeat of earlier; he was mistaken, being treated most cordially and introduced to the boss. “Matthew Green, Director, Peterborough Land Registry. Call me Matt. Dan, let’s cut to the chase. I have these Muslims moving in, taking over everything, everywhere, and I can do nothing about it. They have the legal proof of ownership, and we have to grant them ownership. Most of them are Muslim immigrants. It’s not right, not right at all. ”

  “Maybe we can help, we came to the same conclusion. What about your boss in London?”

  “He’s a career bureaucrat with designs on becoming a top civil servant. He’s in it for the money, the pension.”

  “Is he bent, on the take?”

  “I have no proof, and I very much doubt it.”

  “Okay. Work with me to stem this Islamic tide of influx.”

  “You bet, time to share.”

  And share they did. Dan revealed most, but not all of a bigger picture, and the director, called in his operations manager. The names of ‘Mohammad, Ali, and Hussein’, seemed to reverberate around the room, between being voiced in conversation.

  Just then, Alison arrived and was shown up to the meeting. “Sorry Dan, stupid road works. Hi, I’m Alison, the tech geek, where are we…”

  Alison’s information, backed up by verifiable fact, blew their minds, just as Dan had intended. During the elapsing hours, Alison got in direct contact with their chief technician, and Dan gave his mobile numbers to the director and his chief tech guy.

  A knock came to the door, and a young man hurried inside, depositing files on the director’s desk. He scurried away, as if scared of his own shadow, but was asked to remain.

  The director looked at the information, picking out one. “These are set aside as possible spurious claims. Danforth Glover, that would be you, Agent. What is your interest?”

  “To stop the Muslims getting hold of the property. Plus, my girlfriend and I were thinking about running a bed and breakfast, to encourage tourism, and boost the local community coffers. Otherwise I have no legal claim on the property, except for the fact it has no owner.”

  The director stared Dan in the eye for long seconds, before concluding, “Approved. Create something.”

  “Sir, there is another property nearby, registered under application of Perceval Blodwell. He is the local beat copper, and this has always been their dream house. He is a central member of my team, and applied when I did. I wondered if you could sanction the title?”

  “Yes I could, but what’s in it for my department?”

  “Look up Wymondham, you see all those villages now under control of the Muslim cartel, ‘Mohammad, Ali, and Hussein’. That property developer took licence on inhabited properties, but with title deeds tithed to defunct businesses, then forced the locals out.”

  “Impossible!”

  The clerk said, “We had numerous complaints about this, but everything seemed to be legal, from the ownership point of view.”

  Dan picked up immediately. “Legal ownership that is. These families had lived there for decades, generations, and were driven out of their homes by gangs of Islamic thugs, because you gave a property development company the right to the deeds of their homes, regardless of the occupancy of sitting tenant. Some had lived in the house for all of their lives. Did you check for tenants?”

  “Of course, and we were informed by the independent solicitors, let me get their name…”

  “Ali Brothers.”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  “Because we have identified them as criminal scammers. Their job is to prove just enough title of ownership for you to accept their claims. We need to work together to prevent this happening all over East Anglia. All future applications need checking against the electoral role.”

  “Yes, let’s get to it. Blodwell’s application is approved.”

  “Can you give me the names of the large farms that were named in the Ali Brothers declaration for Wymondham area? I intend to visit them and check this out personally.”

  “Yes, that would be in order. I can relate them to villages, but not people living there, that is highly confidential.”

  “Good. I will do that tomorrow morning and let you know what I discover. Regards Lower Meddlington, we propose to use the two community policemen, Blodwell and his counterpart in the east. They will visit all the inhabitants, and ask them to enrol with Her Majesty’s Land Registry. We will do this parish by parish, village by village.”

  “Now the memo from my boss makes sense, and we prove habitation by reference to the electoral role.”

  “Yes. Alison already has this, and a list of registered properties. We need the local Bobbies to show us all the unregistered houses. We may need to revisit some in the evening.”

  “This will take weeks, but it covers everyone, thank you Dan.”

  “There is more thing. I am concerned some may not play fair, try and take a neighbour’s home from them. One version of your enrolment form is an online PDF I believe.”

  “Yes, what of it?”

  “I think it would be best, if we make the application via a laptop as we visit. This would best be done using one of your own staff, the policeman, and electoral register showing proof of habitation. The same for Lower and Upper Meddlington as well.”

  “Hmmm. Our serious investigations department sometimes does similar to this. Are you sure the local police will support us?”

  “Definitely. I point out, there are two officers covering different areas, so two of your staff would cover the job in half the time, be company for each other also.”

  There was a pause as the idea was duly considered. The clerk spoke up. “Sir, Phil Chandler and Chad Pickering would probably be ideal. They have junior positions, but are young and good with computers. I‘m sure their desks can spare them.”

  “When do you want to begin?”

  “Today, practicably, tomorrow.”

  The director seemed startled, and asked for the two men to be shown up. “Agent, if I provide these men, and offer them holiday in lieu of overtime payment, that is about as far as we can go.”

  “We have pubs and guest houses of reasonable standard, and within easy walk of the police station. Okay, here’s the deal, I’ll fund bed and breakfast, throw in extra occasionally for an evening meal. How does that sound?”

  “Splendid.” There came a knock to the door. “Ah. Here are the lads now.”

  Business was completed in short time. The two young men were keen for the adventure. Dan said, “I’ll meet you both at Lower Meddlington police station at six o’clock, and we’ll get you settled in. Any questions?”

  “Yes sir. How do we get there?”

  Alison said, “The A47, but that’s where I hit the roadwork’s. Best detour via Downham Market, here’s the route, the map on my screen.”

  Dan and Alison left a short time later, and travelled in convoy back to the village. They found Percy monitoring the five screens depicting flights. “Hello Percy, how’s it going?”

  “Quite well. I decided to stay here today and see if I could help out. I’ve updated the log since Saturday, for all five locations, but Alison warned me not to attempt to fly a drone. You return with good news?”

  “Yes Percy, but first, what time does your partner in the east finish work for the day?”

  “Five o’clock. He’s usually back and gone before I get in.”

  Dan looked at the clock and said, “Close.”

  He called Felicity. “I’ll be over a little la
ter, and before six. I need to speak to you about work, it’ll only take a minute. Percy’s opposite number on the east side, he will be doing something slightly different tomorrow, is he still there?”

  “Dick Slayton, yes.”

  “Can you tell him to wait tomorrow morning, as another will join him, a young man from the local Land Registry. I have two of them to assign ownership of property to the incumbents of tithe-less property.”

  “What have you been up to? No later is fine. Yes, you did mention this to me, but so soon. I’ll caution him now, but this needs my approval, not yours. Remember, I run this police station, not you.”

  “Of course Ma’am. I’ll leave you to it.”

  Dan and Percy caught up properly, and planned the next morning visits for their new help. Alison gave Percy two folders, one each for east and west. “Inside are the electoral role, known owned premises, and a map of parishes, including all buildings.”

  Glancing up, Dan noticed the clock, and departed with Percy for the station. “You staying at the village tonight?”

  “Thought I may as well, those two women will drive me crazy with their incessant chatter.”

  “Good, I have the night off, so I’ll share a beer with you later. There’s just one thing I didn’t tell you, your application for that house has been approved, by the director himself, and so has mine.”

  “Dan, that’s wonderful news! I can never thank you enough.”

  “They were in the suspicious applications file, until the director understood the bigger picture, and showed leniency, followed by goodwill.”

  Percy was beside himself with happiness, and thanked Dan several times, his mind in overdrive. Dan queried, “You going to drop by and tell the misses?”

  “Oh no. Well, maybe. I’ll drop by and say I’m working late, plus leave the key to the new place. We’ll soon know just how bad she actually is. I bet she starts cleaning tomorrow, after making a miraculous recovery. She opens all my mail you know, even when it’s from the police, marked ‘private and confidential’. Damn woman.”

  Dan pulled into the police station rear car park at a quarter to six, and reported to the desk sergeant that he was expecting company. The sergeant informed the Inspector, and he was called through. He took Percy with him.

  “Inspector, how wonderful to see you again.”

  “Likewise, Agent. Now cut the crap Dan, what’s this about?”

  Dan explained, finishing with his proposal for the coming days. Percy was in full agreement, and showed the files Alison had prepared.

  “Thank you Dan, Percy. Although I had been briefed on this possible course of events, this is most professional, and I will fully support it. What I like most, is the addition of these two from the Land Registry. That means one visit or call back later, wraps up the all of it. Most of all, it ensures the securing of the residents’ tenure. Well done.

  “I’ll personally brief you, after I hold a full morning briefing at seven tomorrow. It will be a full briefing of all staff, so everybody knows what they are doing. Once all the outlying villages are done, we’ll begin on the town. When are the lads due, Dan?”

  “They should be here for six o’clock, so in a few minutes. My deal was to provide them with bed and breakfast, and while I know the pub across the road does that, I don’t want them drinking late.”

  “Very wise. The White House at the top of the street, Percy?”

  “Yes, the White House. I’ll give Jenny a call, but I’m sure she’ll have free rooms, and at reasonable prices also.”

  Arrangements were made, and the two young men arrived late, profuse with apologies. The Inspector spoke to them in private, before Percy and Dan settled them in at Jenny’s B & B, and they told them where the pub and shops were.

  Percy said, “Time’s getting on. I’ll see the wife tomorrow. Time for that pint.”

  Later in the village pub, they were discussing progress, when Percy said a curious thing. “What about empty houses. What do we do with them?”

  “You mean whole villages?”

  “No, Dan. But most villages have one or more empty houses, take our office for instance. It theoretically has unregistered owners, but they seem to be long gone. How do we log them?”

  “Good question. And it would not be right for Stella, or ourselves to claim ownership. Have a word with the lads tomorrow. There must be some arrangement that can be made.”

  “How about ‘Crown Property set aside’, until a true owner can be verified.”

  “That sounds neat. Thank you. But there may be to be more to it.”

  Percy replied, after thoughtfully sipping his beer. “Entitlement of use or purchase. Like our roads. All highways belong to the Crown, but anyone with title can use them.”

  “I like your thinking, Percy. I’ll have a word with Peterborough in the morning, and confirm.”

  Chatter resumed until Dan said, “Oh, do me a favour. Call your contact in Newmarket, and get him to discover all he can about what’s on this list.”

  Dan passed a piece of paper. “Hopefully it will only take a few days. Also, see if he will forward copy results to Alison directly. It would cut out the middleman. You.”

  Chapter 20 ~ Rights of Ownership

  Tuesday welcomed the beginning of Operation Ownership. Dan called Matt in Peterborough. “Land without ownership, as in abandoned property, is known as bona vacantia. It is a common law principle related to feudal land tenure.”

  “What about today. There are abandoned properties we will visit.”

  “What. Ah, yes. Where the land or property ceases to be owned by anyone, it escheats to become land held by the Crown in demesne. We would confirm using local records, before lodging as such.”

  “What does that mean in plain English.”

  “Sorry Dan. It means that it is held by the Crown, but does not become a part of any Crown Estate. It is held until sold.”

  “Thank you. You better start a property sales department. I have the feeling we will find quite a few. I think our office is one.”

  “You know, we may be able to do that. I’ll call the Official Receiver now, and see if something suitable can be devised for this project.”

  The days official work began at Lower Meddlington Police Station, where both Percy and Dick chose to start at the outer boundary, and work around, and inwards. One of Percy’s priorities was to attend to those at the village that had become his second home. He also went out of his jurisdiction to see Peter and Agnes Penfold, and others nearby, who were delighted with the inclusion.

  Dan saw Percy, Dick, and their new assistants off. Felicity came to his side. “You mentioned you would visit the big farms today. Let’s book appointments with them first, and I’ll accompany you.”

  “But that’s out of your jurisdiction.”

  “Some maybe, but only as Senior Police Officer. I will be acting as a police officer, and will be there to provide a legal chain of evidence. The Chief said it was in our best interests, should things come to court.”

  They scheduled appointments with the farms on Dan’s list, and went to visit the farm managers in turn. There were not many of them.

  They were only just on time for the first appointment at Lilac Farm. “Ah, Mister Gurney, thanks for seeing us at such short notice. I’m Inspector Wigglesworth, and this is my assistant, Dan Glover. I hope you don’t mind me recording this. Saves confusion later.”

  “No, not at all, go right ahead. Now what do you want with us way out here?”

  “What can you tell me about the formation of this super-farm. How did it grow?”

  “Super-farm you say, I likes that. Well now, let me see. I came in about twelve years ago, when three large farms were bought out to create this one. We’ve just under ten thousand acres under the plough.”

  Dan whistled. “That’s big.”

  “We’re not as big as some, but are holding our own. You see, the key to profit is machinery and little labour. So let us say that once the combine is paid
for, we buy another, and larger one, and so on, until we have enough, paid for, equipment. There are maintenance and replacement issues of course, but we plan for those. Some farms lease instead. So in essence, once the expensive machinery like combine harvesters are paid off, we have money straight into the bank.”

  “The smaller farms could not do this?”

  “Ooh no. For them, they had to hire in the machinery, plus driver. Cost a pretty penny too. And they all wanted the same machines at the same time of year. Being bigger, we’re able to stagger planting, so harvest is a succession. The only vagary is the weather, but after a few years, you learn to read the signs.”

  “So, going back in history, the large farms you bought out, they in turn were composed of smaller farms?”

  “Yes, I guess so.”

  “You were not interested in what happened to them, didn’t have any reason to keep tabs on them?”

  “No, why should we? They are away in the distant past, forgotten about. Our farming methods are intensive, and demanding on time. Where’s this going?”

  “Do you have a list of farm workers’ cottages? I presume you have some?”

  “Why yes. Just over one dozen, and they are nearly all a part of the main farmstead, here. You would have passed most of them on your way in.”

  “Could I have a copy of your listed farm worker buildings, for our records, I’ll take a picture with my phone, if that’s okay?”

  The manager eyed them, not quite sure what they were after, but saw no reason to lie, and he wanted to maintain good relations with the police. “Bessie, bring me the folder of our farm holdings, the one with the workers houses in it.”

  “Coming sir…” A woman of secretarial demeanour came through. “Here it is Jake. There’s not much in it.”

  “All right, let’s see. Here is the title deed for the ‘super-farm’ as you call it. This is the boundary of our land, and these are the cottages for farm workers.”

  Dan took photograph copies of all, before scanning the words with his eyes, as did Felicity. They both paid more attention to the title deeds, which correlated with the documentation presented. Jake appeared to be getting restless, Felicity nodded at Dan, and said, “Sorry to take the long route about this, but we had to be sure. You confirm these are all the habitable buildings this farm owns.”