JAILBIRDS: Pc Apter with son Thomas and fellow fundraisers behind bars.

WHEN it comes to jailbreaks it's usually the police who do the chasing but an intrepid team of officers from Southampton thought they'd try the life of a fugitive for themselves - and all in a good cause.

As reported earlier this week around 15 officers from Central police station, aided and abetted by South Today anchorman Andrew Harvey, took part in the sponsored jailbreak for the Meningitis Trust.

The fundraising breakout was inspired by the plight of little Thomas Apter, the son of the officers' colleague Pc John Apter, who narrowly escaped death after being struck down by the disease. And today, 24 hours after they set off, the five teams had reported back to John's wife Sarah from different parts of the country.

"John's team went to 10 Downing Street and had their picture taken there before travelling north to Liverpool where they had another picture taken at Strawberry Fields. Another group managed to wangle a flight from Southampton to Alderney and one other group said they'd got to Brecon in mid-Wales," said Sarah.

On his return Pc Apter said: "All the rail and air firms were tremendous. I think that thanks to all the publicity we've probably raised well over £1,000. One fellow travelling on his own even got as far as Edinburgh."

He also thanked Chief Superintendent Graham Wyeth for allowing the officers time off to participate in the event. All of the officers were due back on duty today.

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