The Police Medal recognising long service will now be issued to those who have served for 20 years, rather than 22, the Home Office announced this week.

The award now fits in with other emergency services and will be back-dated to January 19, 2010.

Having long campaigned for this, Police Federation Chair Paul McKeever said: “The Federation is delighted that the qualifying age has been reduced to 20 years and we thank the Policing Minister and Home Secretary for listening to us and pursuing the matter.”