UNPAID POLICEMAN.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18333, 3 November 1931, Page 4

UNPAID POLICEMAN.

DIRECTOR OF ROAD TRAFFIC,

' A 70-year-old point duty “policeman” smoking a. pipe and receiving coppers from every motorist he •directed, was the strange sight seen recently on the cross-roads in tho pretty Shropshire district of Prees, After allowing the line of cars to pass in the direction of Whitechurch he called the writer on with a smart signal. The motorist followed the lead of the other motorists and pitched a coin to him. The “policeman,” who wears the regulation Shropshire Constabulary hat and blue-belted coat, took the coin with a smart salute. “Thank you very much,” he said.

Not remembering that this is permitted in the police regulations, the motorist made inquiries and found that the man is Mr Steven Gibbons, aged 70, who for 10 years has acted as voluntary traffic controller for the village.

A policeman came along and exchanged salutes with the man. When asked if the traffic controller was in the force, he replied: "Gibbons began to control traffic on the cross-roads, which are recognised as being extremely dangerous. One of the constables taught him the regulation traffis signals, and he was given an old constable’s hat and a whistle. He bought the coat himself.

“Gibbons has not had an accident on the cross-roads in the ten years he has been controlling traffic there. Before he went it was considered a death-trap.”