OVER the past 15 years, the Oxford Mail has responsibly publicised dozens of letters of mine highlighting the shortcomings of Thames Valley Police.

As it is less newsworthy, perhaps, we have however, tended to neglect the not inconsiderable exceptions.

And there can be no greater one (in more than one sense) than Pc Paul Phillips.

He combines intelligence with integrity, actually taking the trouble to learn the law of the land as it stands – not as some of his colleagues would wish it to be – and to enforce it equitably and with an acceptable degree of common sense.

For once, without any hint of irony or ambiguity, I state that no police officer, locally, nationally or internationally, deserved the vicious assault to which he was subjected less than he.

It is absolutely typical of the man, who once jocularly declared that I was in the Oxford Mail more than he, to display magnanimity towards his craven assailant.

The experience may well have “rocked” the recipient of the Queen’s Medal but he possesses the strength of character to recover swiftly from his ordeal and be, if possible, an even better role model to his often sadly wanting juniors.

Very best wishes, Paul.

DAVID DIMENT, Riverside Court,Oxford