LONG-SERVING Winsford bobby PC Pete Dutton reaches a special milestone in his police career today, Wednesday.

PC Dutton, who works as a youth justice and community liaison officer, is celebrating 30 years with the force.

He says that the town and the job have changed a great deal in that time, but that he enjoys being a policeman as much as ever.

And PC Dutton adds that he has no thoughts of slowing down, and is looking forward to serving for a few more years before he hangs up his truncheon.

"I was policing Winsford before the dual carriageway was built through the town and I still see some of the same people around the town nowadays," said PC Dutton, aged 49.

"The job is different now - the police force is run more as a business and we are more accountable than ever - and attitudes to the police have also changed.

"But I still find it immensely enjoyable, especially now that I am working closely with young people and the community."

PC Dutton began his career in Winsford - "it was something I had always wanted to do" - and was then based in the traffic department at Northwich for three years.

He then spent 12 years working as a motorway policeman on the M6 - a job which he remembers fondly.

"It was superb on the motorway, although it could be very stressful," he said.

"The main function on the motorway is to try to prevent accidents by maintaining a visible presence. There's nothing like seeing a police car to make people slow down.

"But it also involves responding to accidents, pulling over speeding motorists, and getting involved in the odd high-speed chase, which certainly gets the adrenalin pumping."

These days, the pace has slowed down a little for PC Dutton, but his role is no less important or challenging.

Working alongside Sgt Kath Booth, his youth justice position involves assessing all offending juveniles and working alongside social services, the probation service and education and welfare officers to find the best way of dealing with the youngsters.

The other side of PC Dutton's job is his community liaison work, which includes organising weekly police discos for youngsters, plus an annual five-a-side competition.

At the moment, he is busy organising the 19th annual 'Kops and Kids' variety show, which takes place at Winsford Civic Hall on March 15 and 16.

The police will be working with eight local schools to stage the show, which will help to raise money for the police's community involvement fund.

"The show has raised a lot of money over the years which has helped us to provide donations for many local groups and organisations," PC Dutton said.

"A lot of people have benefited from the community involvement fund, and it's very nice to be able to help in that way."

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