Honiton: Community Police Officer achieves 20 years of service

A Honiton Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has completed his twentieth year of service to Devon and Cornwall Police. 

Darren England was one of the force's first PCSOs. The position of PCSO was created to provide a visible presence in local communities, deal with minor offences and help tackle anti-social behaviour. 

This week he received his long service award and certificate from Chief Constable Will Kerr and The High Sheriff of Devon, at a ceremony held in Bodmin.

Twenty long years ago, Darren completed his training and was posted to Honiton. Over the next two decades he worked tirelessly to help the community in many different ways. 

Darren has been the visible face of policing in Honiton, and he was often seen and recognised during his regular patrols on the High Street. 

One of Darren's achievements was helping to establish the Herbert Protocol in Honiton. This is a scheme whereby friends or family of someone with dementia provide important details in advance, in case the individual goes missing. 

Darren also worked hard to build relationships with the rural and farming communities located outside Honiton. He shared valuable advice and helped to reduce loneliness and isolation, creating a reassuring presence in otherwise isolated locations. 

This relationship saw the creation of an annual partnership with Hambly's of Honiton, who provide Devon and Cornwall Police with a tractor free of charge. The tractor is used to engage with communities at the Country Show and village fayres. 

Darren also spent many hours with the children and young people of Honiton, educating them about road safety, anti-social behaviour and online safety. 

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It's almost impossible to sum up twenty years of incredible service to the community in such a short space of words, but I think the overriding theme throughout is that of 'service before self'.  

"Darren doesn't come into work for praise, and no doubt will rebuke us for writing this. He comes to work to serve the community to the best of his ability, and we all look forward to spending another twenty years serving alongside you!"