A Metropolitan Police Special Constable has been presented with a fourth bar to his long service medal for half a century of voluntary service with the police service.

Special Constable Robert Harrild received the award from Assistant Commissioner Helen King earlier this month.

SPC Harrild has always been based in Harrow , and started his career in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary on 27 January 1967.

He was attested at New Scotland Yard, then sited on the Embankment, prior to the opening of the current building.

During this time he has also been a volunteer for the VES (Volunteer Emergency Service), delivering bottles of blood by motorbike from Edgware Blood Bank to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital .

During his years as a Special Constable, SPC Harrild has seen active service during the 1968 anti-war Grosvenor Square riots and has also represented the MSC in small bore rifle competitions.

In both 2001 and 2002 he was presented with the Harrow Borough Award for his outstanding contribution to the community in the borough of Harrow.

In June 2010 he was presented with the Harrow Borough Commander's Award for his long service as a dedicated and committed officer of the MSC for the London Borough of Harrow.

In June 2011 SPC Harrild had a triple heart bypass and by August he was back on light duties, and fully operational in November 2011.

A Special Constable in Hayes was recently awarded Special Constable of the Year after disarming a samurai sword-wielder .

'He is a credit to Harrow borough'

Special Constable Robert Harrild's long service medal
Special Constable Robert Harrild's long service medal

He supported colleagues during the 2012 Olympic Games and at one point guarded the Olympic Flame. SPC Harrild is said to have given up countless weekends and evenings, many at short notice and has continued to work in Harrow.

In January 2016, he had been volunteering as an MSC Officer for 49 years, with police believing he had gifted in the region of 10,000 hours.

Earlier this month, he had an audience with MPS Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who thanked him in person for achieving an incredible 49 years' service within the MPS Special Constabulary and serving the people of Harrow.

Assistant Commissioner Helen King of Territorial Policing, said: "Rob has been awarded his fourth bar to the long service medal, joining a small group of colleagues throughout the country who have amassed similar service.

“His dedication, professionalism and positive attitude throughout his career is a testament to his exemplary service.

"He is a credit to Harrow Borough."