LAUNCESTON Police Sergeant Aaron Ward was recognised for his long service and good conduct at an award ceremony attended by Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Steven Otter and Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Michael Galsworthy recently.

His colleague Constable John Williams said it was a 'privilege and an honour to be asked to write his citation on the occasion of his long service medal.'

'Hailing from Oxfordshire, Sgt Ward started his working life as an apprentice debt collector. Each and every Friday night this juvenile enforcer would walk the streets of Bicester collecting the football pools money. It is not widely known, but it can now be revealed that the young Ward was actually responsible for the great Oxford syndicate crash of 1987, when he lost a week's collection money. Forlorn over the loss of his pools beat, the young 18-year-old took the decision to go 'on the beat' with the Devon and Cornwall Police Constabulary in March 1989.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.