A son has paid tribute to his late father, a much respected and well-known police officer at schools and estates in Loughton.

Colin Down passed away following an illness on November 6 at the age of 74, at the James Paget Hospital in Norfolk.

Between 1976 and 1980, he served as a community police officer in Debden and many people still remember PC Down’s visits to schools and the Oakwood estate.

“Everyone from that area, they recognised him,” said his son Garry, 48, who followed in his father’s footsteps and also became a police officer.

PC Down “took personal ownership of his beat”, Garry said, and lived next to the police office after transferring from the Metropolitan Police in Leyton.

He involved himself in the community during his years as the home beat officer, and was rewarded by the council for his work.

His son said: “He would be fond in people’s hearts.

“He always got respect, even when he was dealing with people on the other side of the law.

“He was a proper old school bobby really.”

Mr Down’s funeral will be held at Gorleston-on-Sea crematorium, Great Yarmouth, at 1.20pm on Friday (November 25).