ALDERNEY policeman Jeff Hill has hung up his handcuffs.

Mr Hill (pictured) retired a week ago after leading the island’s force as sergeant for more than three years.

He described working here as a very positive experience.

‘Alderney’s uniqueness is what makes it special. It is quaint and like England was 50 years ago. Things like lunchtime closing mark it out from other places.

‘I suppose it will have to change at some point, but it will be a sad day when it does.’

West Midlands-born, he ended up in Alderney after his wife, Di, heard about a vacancy for a sergeant while visiting the island and encouraged him to apply for it.

‘I’d been to the island twice before so I knew what I was letting myself in for. Also, Di was born in Alderney, so it’s been like coming home for her.’

Mr Hill said many of his most memorable stories weren’t suitable for print but that coming to the island as sergeant had been enjoyable.

‘Realising how different working in Alderney is compared to the UK was an eye-opener, but good in many ways. For instance, people over here are nice to policemen, something which makes a refreshing change.

‘Alderney’s a very safe place and that’s something the UK lost a long time ago.

‘On the whole, policing has changed dramatically since I started in 1977. There is more public involvement now and I’d say the police’s relationship with them is friendlier.’

He encouraged interaction between the police and public. ‘One of the first things I did was to ask the people of Alderney what they thought we needed to tackle. That feedback helped us to come up with a policing plan.’

He said that police must look to build up partnerships with local agencies and support groups in future.

‘The public must realise the police can’t do everything on their own. Other agencies need to do their bit and that is one challenge facing Alderney. Progress has been made with the States but further partnerships need to be struck up.’

As for the future, he is hoping to get back into work – but only after a winter break at his holiday home in the Caribbean.

‘Di and I are certainly going to stay in the island, so I’ll look for work here and also consider consultancy work in the UK.

‘We’re also hoping to spend more time at our place in St Kitts from now on.’