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'Britain's oldest cop' is a 70-year-old former boxer who walks 25 miles a day on the beat

Former navy man Louis Martindale-Vale has served with West Midlands Police for seven years since joining in 2007 at the age of 63

Louis Martindale-Vale is still pounding the beat aged 70. (SWNS)

Britain's oldest PCSO is still pounding the beat and catching criminals- at the ripe old age of 70.

Former navy man Louis Martindale-Vale has served with West Midlands Police for seven years since joining in 2007 at the age of 63.

The ex-boxer said he wanted to put his skills learned in the ring and the Armed Forces over the years to good use, after working for 47 years.

The sprightly granddad-of-four has since patrolled the Erdington area of Birmingham five times a week and says he has no plans to stop any time soon.

The super-fit keen canoeist and mountaineer walks a staggering 25 miles a day on the beat - meaning he has clocked up over 63,800 miles since he started his policing career.

The feisty pensioner, from Great Barr, Birmingham, said: 'Erdington High Street is a busy retail area so tackling business crime has always been a priority on my beat.

PSCO Louis took to the beat in 2007 aged 63. (SWNS)
PSCO Louis took to the beat in 2007 aged 63. (SWNS)


'When I joined it would take me an hour to tour all the stores to pass on important information about an emerging shop-lifting tactic or description of a prolific offender.

'I wear a pedometer and I clock up about 25 miles a shift as I'm always on the move going from store to store.

Louis Martindale-Vale aged 12. (SWNS)
Louis Martindale-Vale aged 12. (SWNS)

'When I do have to leave this role I will be sad as I’ve made some good friends, including some kids who are about a quarter of my age.

'Talking is a great tool as a PCSO and having life experience, a few tales and a listening ear is often a good way to diffuse a situation.

'I’d like to think I’ve offered a few sage words, a bit of advice or some direction to some of the youngsters I’ve encountered.'

Louis served with the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in 1961, which saw him perform shore patrols to keep hundreds of sailors in check as they roamed ports in South Africa and Hong Kong.

The dad-of-four has also had a diverse range of jobs - including working at Land Rover, as a golf course manager and even as a grave digger.

Officer 30758 Martindale-Vale started his policing career in 2007 after being reassured by his wife that community policing would 'suit you down to the ground'.

Louis - who celebrated his 70th birthday this week - is now cutting down his hours to three days a week.

The OAP added: 'Working part-time was a 70th birthday present to myself.

'But I’ll still be working 8am to 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, which are the busiest times for retailers.

Louis, left, in his PCSO role and, right, in his Navy days in 1961. (SWNS)
Louis, left, in his PCSO role and, right, in his Navy days in 1961. (SWNS)


'I wasn’t surprised about the change in career because I knew the role was well within my capabilities and that communication skills and problem solving were more important than youth and fitness.

'Not that the physical side was an issue: I’m a keen mountaineer and canoeist and love nothing more than getting out on the heights in north Wales.'

Erdington town centre business improvement district manager Terry Guest said Louis was 'invaluable” to the area.

Terry said: 'His constant engagement with the public and businesses means we now have a structure for crime prevention that works well.”

West Midlands Police Superintendent Jo Smallwood, said: 'Louis is a shining example of how PCSOs can play an important role in our communities, building relationships with organisations and members of the public.

'PCSOs are an integral part of local policing, they increase visibility and increase public confidence in policing.’