Pauline Rowson, author of the DI Horton marine mystery crime series introduces the real Hampshire Police Marine Unit at the Crime Writers' Association Conference

[Pauline Rowson]

My fictional detective, DI Andy Horton, is based in the Solent  area and the Horton marine mystery crime novels include members of a fictional Hampshire Police Marine Unit - Sergeant Dai Elkins and PC Ripley who are nothing like the two police officers I introduced on Saturday from the team of the Hampshire Marine Police Unit at the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Conference.

PCs Kerry Murray and Matt Gransden are younger and much better looking, although readers of the Horton novels might be aware that PC Ripley is only a little older than Matt. But the work my fictional marine unit are involved with in helping DI Horton of Portsmouth CID and Detective Superintendent Uckfield of the Major Crime Team isn't that far removed albeit fiction.

It was great to meet Kerry and Matt and to hear about their fascinating job. They gave me plenty of ideas not only for plots for future DI Horton crime novels but also for characters! Can't wait to get writing. It was a fantastic talk with lots of questions from the audience and I'm hugely grateful to Kerry and Matt for giving their time and to their boss for letting them especially when they are so busy. The Hampshire Police Marine Unit's area of responsibility stretches from Dorset to Sussex and out to 12 miles offshore.

I'm looking forward to meeting them again and spending the day with them on the Solent for further research for my crime novels. Must remember to pick a calm day though!  

Pauline Rowson with PC Matt Gransden and PC Kerry Murray of the Hampshire Police Marine Unit

Pauline Rowson talking about her DI Horton crime novels set in the Solent before introducing Kerry and Matt

PC Kerry Murray talking about the Hampshire Police Marine Unit

 The work of the Police Marine Unit includes counter terrorism patrols, the reduction and detection of marine crime, investigation of marine incidents and fatalities, policing large events, supporting the UK Border Agency, Coastguard, and Harbour Authorities and responsibility for countering serious and organised crime and preventing child abduction.

 

The Solent is the busiest waterway in Europe and one of the busiest in the world with around one million commercial and Naval shipping movements per year and in excess of 10 million pleasure craft movements per year.

PC Matt Gransden of the Hampshire Police Marine Unit

The unit consists of one Sergeant and nine PCs, policing with three semi displacement launches.

You can follow the Hampshire Police Marine Unit on Twitter @HantspolMarine