PC Ian Atyeo has enjoyed every minute of his 21 years on the beat in town.

AFTER 21 years based in Honiton, the town’s longest serving bobby on the beat is leaving the police service - a victim of Government spending cuts.

PC Ian Atyeo is unlikely to be seen on patrol in the town again. He is on leave until the end of the month, when he will take up a civilian post in Exeter.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Midweek Herald when PC Atyeo, 51, looks back at his career and explains why he wanted to stay in the police service until he was 55.

Spending cuts, which are affecting every police force in the country, not just Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, forced his arm, but an opportunity came along that he “grabbed with both hands”.

The support of the community, he says, ensured he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his time keeping the peace in Honiton.

Find out about his most memorable arrest and what happened when he became the victim of a crime.

Two-page special feature in print - or re-visit this website tomorrow.