Retired policeman goes back on beat as a special

A policeman who walked the beat for almost 30 years before budget cuts forced his retirement from West Midlands Police has rejoined the force – as an unpaid special constable.

Robin Mouzer, who patrolled the Smethwick's Windmill estate in the 1980s when it had been labelled 'unpolicable', is on his rounds again after signing up.

The 59-year-old said: "You have to give something back. I don't understand why more officers don't want to do it. David Cameron talks about the Big Society but I believe it was already there.

He added: "People have always volunteered and always will."

After signing up as a cadet in Bridgnorth in 1968, Mr Mouzer became a constable in Worcester in 1969 before transferring to Stourbridge in 1972.

He worked as a neighbourhood officer for the notorious Lye and Tanhouse estates in Halesowen before transferring to the Windmill estate, Cape Hill, in 1982.