Special constable Phillip Cozens has been rewarded for being at the heart of murder investigations, riots and some of Wiltshire’s most notorious crimes over the past 11 years.

Mr Cozens, 56, from Chippenham, received a long service medal from Chief Constable Brian Moore at a ceremony at Bowood House on Saturday.

He joined as a special officer in 1998 and has since risen through the ranks to become the divisional officer for the north of the county in charge of 70 specials. Mr Cozens, who is also a business manager for Ford, said: “I have been involved with a huge number of cases – some murder investigations, the Solstice and the illegal rave at Warminster involving 3,000 revellers.

“But the most rewarding part of the job is the smaller incidents we are called to – like when I was called to an elderly woman’s home in Calne who was frightened because stones had been thrown through her windows. I was able to reassure her we would find the culprit and make her feel safe again.

“I have loved every moment of my service.”

Mr Cozens was one of 13 specials presented with various awards.