Hurd's ex-bodyguard awarded (From Witney Gazette)

Hurd's ex-bodyguard awarded

9:00am Thursday 27th April 2006 in Witney By Jo Duckles

A POLICE inspector whose duties have included protecting former Witney MP Douglas Hurd when he was Northern Ireland Secretary is among officers who have received Long Service and Good Conduct Awards.

Insp Terry Hinchly, pictured with Chief Constable Sara Thornton, was awarded the medal for serving 22 years with Thames Valley Police.

Insp Hinchly, who is now sector inspector for Wantage and Faringdon, joined the force as a patrol officer in Witney in 1983, before he became a firearms officer.

Police spokesman, Rebecca Webber, said: "In this role, he carried out many duties at the home of the then Northern Ireland Secretary Douglas Hurd, including going to investigate a suspicious noise with his firearm drawn, to discover it was a neighbour's donkey."

Insp Hinchly has worked as a sergeant at Abingdon, Oxford, and Cowley, and received a Chief Constable's Commendation in 1992 for the way he dealt with a man armed with a knife and a crowbar.

"I am proud that my time with Thames Valley Police has been recognised. My time here has been challenging and rewarding," he said.

Officers who received Long Service and Good Conduct Awards at the ceremony included PC Paul Allen, a patrol officer at Witney, PC Stephen Cox, neighbourhood co-ordinator at Carterton, PC Nigel Luker, control room, Abingdon, Linda Richards, who works for the Thames Valley Police Authority, based at headquarters in Kidlington, DC Roy Thornton, of Oxford's burglary team, and PC Simon Towers, area beat officer in Chipping Norton.