A RETIRED philosopher from Chipping Sodbury is helping police to crack down on crime.

Paul Sturdee, a former lecturer in philosophy at Warwick University, has become the area’s first volunteer policeman giving up several hours of his time every week to offer crime prevention advice in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

He said: "I wanted to do something for the community. It is great fun and I enjoy it immensely."

Mr Sturdee delivers postcards to hundreds of houses in the area each time he volunteers as part of the police’s street survey. The cards ask residents for their feedback on local policing and for any issues they wish to raise.

He also patrols estates for ‘vulnerable vehicles’, looking for valuable items left on display. Mr Sturdee notes the registration number and the registered keeper is sent a notice warning of the dangers of leaving personal items on view.

Beat manager for Yate, PC Giles Sutton, said: "He is a valuable member of the team. He does a very good job as the street survey is proving quite successful.

"He is keen to put something back into the community and we know the job is always going to get done.

"We call him our VIP (Volunteer in Policing). It is quite a new idea and is all about local people helping us really."

Mr Sturdee, who also writes in his spare time and had his first book on religious terrorism published two years ago, added: "It just makes sense for me to do something like this.

"It does not require a commitment from me in terms of lots of hours and I get to go out and about and be part of a team.

"We need more community involvement in local policing. I think the police need to be seen actively supporting the local community as the greater the presence the less crime there is."