Sidmouth’s police sergeant has been recognised for 20 years of service and good conduct.

Andy Squires was presented with a medal at a ceremony at the China Fleet Club in Saltash last Friday.

It was attended by the force’s top brass, including Devon and Cornwall’s police and crime commissioner Tony Hogg, Chief Constable Sean Sawyer and Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.

Sergeant Squires said: “It is very reassuring to have long service recognised in any form of work, but particularly so in the police as your 20 years is likely to have included some situations and sights that no human being should have to face.

“It has flown by and it only really felt like a long time when I saw how some of my fellow joiners in 1995 have aged!

“The high point was receiving a Commendation for Community Policing from [then home secretary] David Blunkett in 2004, at a very glitzy evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

“That year, I won the Ada Murrin Cup, which is for the community officer of the year for Devon and Cornwall.

“Myself and all the other 42 force’s winners then went to London for the National Community Officer Award.

“Although I didn’t win the national award, we all received commendations.”