A policeman, who earned the nickname ‘Terminator’ as a mark of respect from the youths on the street and the people he arrested, has retired.

But Robin Perry, who called it quits in April after nearly 37 years of service during which he spent the vast majority of his time spent in Ealing, is already considering returning as a special officer.

He started as an 18-year-old on the streets of Southall in 1978, before leaving for a three-year stint in Kensington and eventually returning in the late 1990s to Ealing, where he spent the last 13 years working in the proactive robbery team.

A young PC Robin Perry in his early Southall days

During his time on the force he has received a string of commendations for heroic deeds which included saving a woman from icy waters in the Grand Union Canal, rescuing an elderly woman and evacuating residents at an OAP home fire, and having a shot-gun put in his face after disturbing a burglary.

But even though the 55-year-old, who lives in Ealing, has retired, he says he may return to the streets in the not-to-distant future: “I might come back as a Special to give something back free to the borough.”

His brother Richard, himself an ex-policeman who served for 32 years, said Robin had a unique relationship with people.

He said: “He was recognised everywhere he went. He had respect from the youth and the people on the street and they called him Terminator.

“Even the people he arrested would say hello and talk to him which was unusual. There was no hostility towards him despite the fact he arrested a lot of them.

“But they knew that if they misbehaved they would be nicked. Word would get out that you never ran from Terminator because he would catch you.”

Robin never sought promotions which would place him behind a desk because he enjoyed being with the public.

He said: “I felt comfortable on the streets. Working with the public on that level, that was where I was happiest.

“I will miss the work. I enjoyed nearly all of it - good and bad. It’s helped me become who I have become today."

Robin Perry in an unmarked police car

“I’ve loved meeting all the different people," he added. "I found if you treat people the same way you expect to be treated you get on a lot better.

“I really tried to be polite, courteous and friendly, and I think it worked.”