Retired PC given police award for 100th birthday

Eric Birkin was surrounded by friends and family in Frinton to celebrate his birthday and was joined by Ch Supt Claire Talbot and Det Ch Insp Rob Huddleston

A retired police officer has been given a special award to mark his 100th birthday.

PC Eric Birkin was presented with a plaque by Essex Police. The force's Ch Supt Claire Talbot said he was "an inspiration to us all".

He first joined the force on 23 September 1954, and spent most of his career stationed in Billericay and Wickford, before retiring 29 years later in September 1983, aged 59.

He said he loved to go out on foot patrol and speak with members of the public, before returning to the station at the end of a shift for tea and cakes.

Mr Birkin was presented with a special award to mark his centenary by Ch Supt Claire Talbot and Det Ch Insp Rob Huddleston

Mr Birkin joined Essex County Constabulary, as it was then known, four days after his 30th birthday, after serving for seven years in the Army in the Essex and Suffolk Regiments and five years as a storeman.

The centenarian then transferred to the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Joint Constabulary on 1 April 1969, which became Essex Police five years later.

His last role was custody officer at Billericay Police Station.

Ch Supt Talbot said: "Eric still has extremely fond memories of his time in policing but when I asked him the funniest memory he recalls from his career, he said there were 'too many to mention'.

"Eric is an inspiration to us all."

Det Ch Insp Rob Huddleston said: "It was amazing to hear Eric speak of his time walking the beat and as a jailer at Billericay, even fetching fish and chip suppers for detainees.

"His experiences certainly highlight the contrasts and many differences between policing 40 to 70 years ago and now."

Mr Birkin's grandson, Geoff Waddoup, followed in his footsteps and became a police officer "because of his love and passion for policing", Ch Supt Talbot added.