Welcome to 2011. 2010 finished with the weather and icy roads causing problems across the District. In the main everyone heeded the 'Road Closed' signs, understanding they were there for everyone's safety; unfortunately some felt it necessary to move a number of these signs causing motorists to become stranded and creating potential for more collisions. My staff check the roads daily as they also want them open.

In December I presented a Drive Smart report to the Local Committee on the year's activities in Tandridge.

The main highlights were the neighbourhood team, response and roads policing officers combined made 13,000 interventions including use of mobiles, vehicle defects and antisocial driving. The Community Speedwatch volunteers put in an extraordinary amount of hours monitoring speed in their areas, undoubtedly making roads in Tandridge safer. Thank you.

I retire from Surrey Police on 31st March 2011 having completed almost thirty two years' service. With three columns left I will attempt to summarise a decade a column, starting in 1979 and through the eighties.

I remember my first night on the beat in Redhill wearing a cape and carrying a handbag. Trousers were only allowed on night duty but only if the Divisional Commander agreed. Typewriters and carbon paper were the order of the day, not computers!

During the miners' dispute, male colleagues assisted other forces on 'mutual aid' while female officers remained policing Surrey, working long hours to maintain service. I became a tutor constable training officers to put the theory learned in training school into practice. In 1985 I became Schools Liaison Officer for Reigate, visiting schools, youth groups etc. I ran Police Courses as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and assisted with expeditions which involved many a cold night on Dartmoor!

I also made a video with Rolf Harris on child safety, went to St James's Palace, walked the 80 mile South Downs Way in a weekend and met a number of pupils who subsequently joined Surrey Police. One is now a Detective Inspector, one a Detective Sergeant and one is my NSO, Leesa Crouch. I left that role for the birth of my son Dean in 1980. Next month I will continue with my return to work at the end of the '80s.