Crime-fighter Colin Cole may be 99 but he is still focused on nailing crooks.
The war veteran reports for duty as a police CCTV observer twice a week in a bid to nail shoplifters, pub brawlers and other thugs.
Colin, who turns 100 on June 12, monitors feeds from 20 West Mercia Police cameras trained on Oswestry, Shrops.
He became Britain’s oldest police volunteer in 2015 after the death of his wife of 74 years Joan.
The former aircraft radio operator first volunteered when he joined the Met as a Special Constable after the Second World War.
He said: “In those days there were no radios, you just had to ring in every two hours from a police box whilst out on your beat. The only way we could call for help was with a whistle.”
Colin joined the RAF in the late 30s and was thrown into action in the war.
He said: “I was posted as radio operator on a reconnaissance plane flying over enemy lines. It was a dangerous job and many lives were lost.”
After the war, Colin trained as a teacher and moved to Oswestry with Joan, who did the same job.
Oswestry Volunteer CCTV co-ordinator Jim Stafford said: “Colin is a valuable part of our team. He volunteers without fail every Tuesday and Friday.”
