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End of an era

Peter Devine
25/ 3/2003

MORE than a century of family policing is about to come to an end with the retirement of an officer.

Area Sgt John Taylor, 52, has decided to retire after 23 years with both the Manchester and Stockport forces.

It brings to an end a long line of Taylors in the police force dating back to his grandfather, father and brother.

"My late father Jack had his father and two uncles in the Metropoltan Police Force during the mid-1920s, and he himself served in the Stockport force for 28 years, as did my brother Mark," said John. "I remember my mother was always ironing police shirts."

Manchester United fan, John, has acted as a police liaison officer at Stockport County for a number of years and is credited with introducing the red card scheme which banned hooligans from local pubs prior to matches at Edgeley Park.

"We were having a lot of problems with our hooligan element so we came up with the idea of keeping them out of the Edgeley pubs before home matches."

The scheme proved so successful that other clubs including Tottenham Hotspur have since adopted it.

During his retirement John intends to spend more time with wife Janet and grandchildren Bethany and Maisy, as well as watching his beloved Manchester United, where he is a season ticket holder. The couple have two sons Paul and Chris.

"This is the end of the line as far as family policing is concerned," said John.

"I have enjoyed being a police officer and will definitely miss the wonderful camaraderie of my colleagues."