Yahoo News Britain's longest serving police officer celebrates 52 years on the force (but only five arrests)
Britain's longest serving police officer is celebrating 52 years on the force - but he's only made five arrests in his long career.
Special Constable Richard Warren, 74, has helped thousands of people during his long career, picking up a host of medals, including an MBE for services of policing.
Grandfather-of seven Mr Warren's job, which is based in the Wiltshire countryside, involves patrolling roads, transporting violent offenders in a van and investigating rustling.
But the officer, who last week added another bar to his long service medal to mark 50 years on the force, says he has no plans to retire just yet.
Richard also holds three medals awarded to him for serving during the Queen’s 25th, 50th and 60th years on the throne.
Special constables - known as ‘specials’ - are part-time volunteer officers who hold the power to arrest individuals.
Mr Warren, of Hullavington, Wiltshire, says he has only made "around five arrests" in his role.
Explaining this, the proud PC said: "My main role is to help people, mainly doing rural patrols and foot patrols in Malmesbury and places like that.
"My role is generally helping the police with whatever they want me to do. I try to do my best to make sure everyone stays safe in Wiltshire.
Read more on Yahoo News UK
Big Ben set to open up to tourist after scaffolding starts to come off in 2020
Boris Johnson reveals his favourite alcoholic tipple
Jack-knifed lorry brings major motorway to a standstill
"I can arrest people but I don’t go out of the way to do that. I am trained to use the extended batons, pepper spray and wear a body worn camera.
"I've never used the baton but have withdrawn it to impose myself.
"There was a group of people in a pub one evening they were coming out after drinking a lot so it was best that they knew we were there.
"I held it over my shoulder - when you draw a baton you don't hold it any other way than over your shoulder."
Richard also volunteers as a litter picker and cares for wife Lynette, 70, who suffers with MS. The couple have been married for 49 years.
He was also selected to carry the Olympic Flame in 2012 between Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire.
