What is a decent yet low cost scanner theat lets me listen to the police?

I want a hand held scanner that allows me to LISTEN to the Police/ Fire/Ambulance/Airport services.
I am not up to no good, and just want to listen. Can it be done with a PC as well???

10 point sitting, waiting for a good answer!

In Great Britain, it is an offence to monitor police radio broadcasts.

Just so as you know...

police and fire services have mostly converted to digital cellular (trunked) type systems. your scanner won't pick them up, and you need a key to unscramble the digital. some commercial 2-way users (private ambulance, taxis etc) not directly involved with public safety may still use FM radios that a scanner can pick up, but it won't be as interesting.

Not all police and fire dept have gone digital yet - in fact because of the cost many have stayed with the older analog systems which can easily be picked up by a scanner.

I like the Radio Shack scanners but they all will work well. If you go to your local Radio Shack, they can answer your questions about the local police and fire frequencies etc.

since last year all police have changed to tetra which is a very secure wave band and it will not matter what scanner you buy you will not now or ever be able to (listen in)other emergency service will be changing over as well my advice is buy a ham radio or a shortwave radio for listening in there is lots of things to listen to on these radios from all corners of the world google shortwave or ham radio and have look about im sure you will find something you will like