AFTER 25 years on the beat with West Mercia Police, a Vale-born sergeant is preparing to hang up his helmet for one final time.
Sergeant Philip Stayte, 60, is retiring from the force having headed up Evesham’s Safer Neigbourhood Teams during his ‘outstanding’ career.
He first laced up his boots for West Mercia back in 1991 as a constable in Worcester.
From there he spent two years working in proactive and reactive CID before moving to the same department in Evesham.
Sgt Stayte then rose through the ranks to sergeant in 2002 before spending six months with the force’s professional standards team at headquarters, as well as becoming a custody sergeant.
And in 2006 the Evesham sergeant took up the role of beat manager for the town’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams where he has remained ever since.
“Evesham is a very busy station and every day is filled with memories,” Sgt Stayte said.
“A lasting memory will always be the outstanding ability of our staff to cope with any situation. The quality of the staff is second to none and everyone goes above and beyond their responsibilities to help each other and the communities of the Vale.
“It is always difficult moving away from something that has been your life for the last 25 years – I am going to miss it. But it opens new challenges for me now and I’m going to view it as another door opening, not closing.
“It is the right time to go and I know Evesham will be left in really good footing and in the right hands with Sgt Nick Doyle.”
Supt Kevin Purcell, police commander for South Worcestershire, added: “Sergeant Stayte has been an outstanding member of staff across various roles in West Mercia for the last 25 years.
“In his current role he is widely respected and, in my opinion, has contributed to Evesham and its surrounding villages being kept safe from crime.
“When any officer retires it is always with some sadness and that is matched by the loss we will feel in the organisation.
“However, we wish him well for a happy and lengthy retirement.”
