A SPECIAL constable who started his career in Oswestry has retired after 47 years of service.

Tony Riggs was an electrician who signed up to become Special Constable 4271 on March 12, 1975 and spent almost half a century in the voluntary role working between 700 and 800 hours each year.

The 66-year-old, who was affectionately nicknamed 'Hobbie Bobbie', said: "There is great satisfaction in being able to help people.

"Whether it’s to give them directions or road safety advice, to hold their hand when they’re frightened or to feel their collar when necessary – it has all been worthwhile."

Tony's first shift was on a Friday night in Oswestry, where to show his 'keenness', he bought his own set of handcuffs.

"I squeezed into a Mini Clubman with six-foot-six PC Bill Foster," he recalled, "The highlight of the night was a man urinating into the postbox of a bank."

He quickly learned how to talk to people as he humbly started with "a whistle and truncheon", while also attending domestics, large fights, fatal collisions and sudden deaths.

He ran cycle proficiency training and had 17 years working with roads policing, carrying out speed enforcement and drink-drive checks.

Tony added: "I assisted with a collision at West Felton. A lorry driver had blocked the A5 with his spilled load of gravel.

"We were clearing the road when I was interrupted by a radio message stating that my father wanted me home – he needed his car to go to work that morning.

"Well, at least I’d shovelled enough that he could get by!"

Tony has attended many community events, interacted with the public and represented the West Mercia Police at events across Shropshire, including the Cosford Air Show.

Through his life in policing, he met and married Annemarie, who was an officer based in Shrewsbury and Telford, and who herself gave 30 years of service to West Mercia.

Tony was also appointed special sergeant, and had to look after as many as 14 special constable, while also spending 18 months as acting special inspector.

For his service he was awarded a Divisional Commendation in 2007, and a year later he was awarded the High Sherriff’s Trophy for the Best Special Officer and was nominated to represent the force at the National Awards in London.

Tony added: "“I have met a whole raft of wonderful and supportive people within the police, including my wife, and there is a lot of mutual respect.

"I would recommended the specials to anyone."