Beat officer patrolled Tunbridge Wells on foot for more than 20 years

The streets of Tunbridge Wells will feel a little different next week as one of the town’s longest serving beat officers hangs up his patrol boots after more than two decades of dedicated service.

In a career spanning 23 years, PC Phil Smith, or ‘Smithy’ as he is also known, has become a familiar and reassuring presence in the town, instantly recognisable by the distinctive traditional custodian helmet he wears. 

Treading a well-worn beat, which on most days leads him from the bottom of his patch near The Pantiles to its peak in the St John’s area, PC Smith’s long-held mantra of treating everyone with ‘fairness and respect’ has earned him the trust of residents and shopkeepers, as well as a fearsome reputation among those caught breaking the law.

A typical day would see PC Smith complete a loop of the immediate town centre to check for any new criminal damage, and for the presence of any vulnerable people, including the homeless.

Duties would include identifying people in the town wanted for offences and alerting CCTV operators to those also known for shoplifting.

Tackling anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking and drug use, was also a constant theme.

Respect and fairness

PC Smith’s approach to policing has always been about building relationships.

He grew up in a small village in Oxfordshire and after marrying his partner and expecting their first child decided he needed a ‘proper job’ and joined Kent Police in 2001.

PC Smith said: ‘I initially believed that I would not make a good officer, as I was too skinny. My father-in-law told me it’s not about having a huge build and more important to know how to talk to people and show respect and fairness. He was completely right.’

A beat officer can sometimes be first to the scene of a major incident and PC Smith recalls some of the most challenging aspects of his career have been to respond to suicides, or fatalities linked to the misuse of drugs.

He added: ‘I dislike cannabis use, but I absolutely hate cocaine use as some people regard it as doing no harm, when actually they are causing a demand which leads to huge issues to communities across England and other parts of the world, and its use is also supporting organised crime groups.’

Commendation

Among his career highlights, PC Smith was responsible for evidence which helped convict a man for the murder of a teenager whose body was found in a suitcase in Torrington car park in 2006.

Outside of Tunbridge Wells, in 2013, he received a commendation after he was first at the scene of a serious collision near Goudhurst, where he held the airway open of a critically injured man until fire and ambulance crews arrived.

PC Smith’s fair but firm approach perhaps won’t win admirers from everyone, but it has at least inspired one man even to write a rap in his honour. Simply titled, PC Smith, the four-verse track can be enjoyed on YouTube.  

On 18 July, Tunbridge Wells’ popular street bobby was joined on one of his last patrols by a reporter from BBC Radio Kent, and it soon became clear that he seemed to know almost everyone; a homeless man approached seeking words of advice, while a shopper stopped them in the street eager to sing his praises.

Little gestures

‘The most rewarding part of my job? I have always tried to give everyone, no matter their background a chance, whilst dealing with offenders robustly but fairly. 'Part of this is what I call ‘little gestures’ and by this I mean helping with an issue, sometimes out of my own pocket or using my contacts, to show support. 'This could be helping someone get to a hospital appointment, crediting a homeless person’s phone so they could call their family, or getting them a replacement tent. 'The respect and on-going thanks from people over this type of gesture can help enormously.’

PC Smith is now looking forward to spending more time with his family in his retirement, but also has plans to help people who are neurodivergent and those with PTSD, to help give them confidence and skills to improve their lives.

He insisted he will always be around to support the town in any way he can and offered advice to anyone thinking of becoming a police officer: 

‘Eat well, sleep well, keep fit and support and check in regularly with your friends, family and colleagues. 'Talk to those you meet with respect, use their correct names, and don’t be patronising. If someone is from a different country, try and learn a few words of their language, they will warm to you if you go to this effort.’

Asked on how he would like to be remembered, he added: ‘He’s alright, that Smithy’.