The picture shows a PC directing traffic in Torquay town centre. Maybe this was PC Johns...
Police Constable Richard Owen Johns joined Devon Constabulary in 1953.
After his initial training he was posted to Torquay, where he served for two years. He was often seen on point duty at Abbey crossroads or in the town centre at the junction with Abbey Road. The picture shows a PC directing traffic in Torquay town centre. Maybe this was PC Johns, we don’t know.
He was also regularly posted to Plainmoor as the PC on duty when Torquay United were playing at home. Not much crowd trouble in those days so he could sit on the players' bench and watch the match.
PC Johns quickly impressed and after two years he was sent to Bigbury as the village policeman. He enjoyed his time there, initially playing for the village football team.
However, it soon became apparent that crime, particularly poaching, rose considerably when he was known to be playing so his football career came to an abrupt halt.
During his time in Bigbury he was involved in several cliff rescues at nearby Bantham. Although the danger of the cliffs and the tides were well advertised, that didn’t always deter people from taking risks. For rescuing a Mr and Mrs Nicholson, who had been trapped by the tide, he was awarded a testimonial on vellum from the Royal Humane Society,
Following five years in Bigbury PC Johns became DC Johns. He was part of a team of three detective constables in Paignton. He was known to be fair and honest and was respected by colleagues and offenders.
Above: Police Constable Richard Owen Johns joined Devon Constabulary in 1953. He was often seen on point duty at Abbey crossroads or in the town centre at the junction with Abbey Road
On one occasion he received a letter of thanks, which he kept, for his kindness from a prisoner serving time in Sheerness Prison. He also kept a letter from a young man in borstal thanking him for remembering his birthday and saying that he would never be in trouble again.
DC Johns noted in his memoirs that this young man had been in trouble a few times and on the last occasion on returning home he found his family had moved away, leaving no forwarding address. There are no reports of this young man being in trouble again.
Once again DC Johns impressed and was moved to Brixham as the only DC in the local station. During his time in Brixham he was called to Berry Head where a dog had jumped off the cliff and landed on rocks below. Always an animal lover, he climbed down the cliff and rescued the dog, which was, amazingly, uninjured.
He received an award for the rescue from the RSPCA. He was proud of this rescue and often said that while the people in Bigbury and Bantham rescued from the cliffs had sometimes ignored warning signs and been reckless, the dog couldn’t read and had no idea he was in danger.
On one occasion while in Brixham he became aware that a group of visitors from the London underworld were drinking in a local pub. Feeling he should make his presence known, he entered the pub and with some trepidation he approached the group. Suddenly he heard a quiet voice: “Don’t worry Mr Johns, we’re right behind you.” A group of locals known to the police had decided they didn’t want their policeman in danger. The visit passed off without incident.
DC Johns became Detective Sergeant Johns and moved to Exeter for a couple of years in 1967.
He returned to Torquay as a uniformed inspector in 1969 but this was short lived and he joined the Regional Crime Squad as Detective Inspector Johns.
During his time in Torquay he was involved in many high-profile cases. Probably the best known was the shooting at the Job Centre in Abbey Road. Michael Browne entered the Job Centre with a shotgun. Allegedly unhappy with the treatment he had received there, he had decided to seek revenge. Three people were shot and the police, led by DI Johns, were called. DI Johns' report records that on arrival, being unsure of the situation, they sent the dog in first, climbing a ladder to get in through a window.
Never having seen a dog climb a ladder before, he was impressed. Believing the scene to be safe the police entered the building, then while going up the stairs they heard a door slam and thinking it was a shot beat a hasty retreat.
Later he said he was leading his team up the stairs when, hearing the shot, he led them down the stair having somehow passed all the others on the way. When they eventually entered the building, they found the gunman dead having turned the gun on himself.
Another well-known case that DI Johns worked on was the Casino Murders in Torwood Street, Torquay. Robert Fenton, searching for the owner, entered the casino and shot two members of staff. The person he was looking for was not there.
On the run after leaving the casino, Fenton hijacked a police car and during the incident PC Dennis Smith was killed. Fenton was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison 20 years later.
In 1978 DI Johns was promoted to Detective Chief Inspector Johns and he ended his career in West Cornwall, taking charge of CID in that area. He retired in 1983.
Much more could be written about his career since DCI Johns kept a detailed record of his time in the police. This is just a fraction of that record. A decent, honest and trustworthy policeman, he was one of the best.
Paignton Heritage Society is pleased to announce that our wonderful medieval property, Kirkham House, will be open to the public on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Guided tours of the house are available, followed by a trip to see the clink, Paignton’s first prison and a visit to the Bishops (Coverdale) tower. Kirkham House is open from 1pm to 4pm and entry is free, with donations always appreciated.
Our next monthly meeting is on April 17when Richard Farrow will be talking to us about the history of Coniston House and Simla.
Meetings are held in Gerston Chapel Torquay Road and start at 7pm. Entry is £5 which includes tea and coffee.
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