Adrian Crust is retiring and we'd like to honour him

[mynamehere]

Adrian Crust is retiring!

Send Thank your and pictures to

The address is [email protected]

http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Southwark/EastDulwich

He has been the Bobby on the Beat in East Dulwich for decades. He has ASKED to stay in East Dulwich and they let him which is very unusual.

We've been asked to think of something and what came up was

"gift vouchers" for a meal or more at restaurants on Lordship Lane. I was thinking that a restaurant might even step forward and offer a gift voucher to him as they all know him.

Any ideas? Do you run a restaurant or know anyone who does?

This man gave his working life to walking up and down our streets.

It has to happen this week! Think fast and offer things directly to him or club together.

Let's inundate him with thanks!

[Penguin68]

He really is the last of an old style bobby - regularly saw him walking the patch - on his own actual feet! - and he seemed to know people around here, who knew him. And a real bobby, not a PCO. He was really helpful when my daughter's car was stolen (and then found, abandoned, locally). I am very afraid we won't see his like again.

[mynamehere]

Penguin68 make sure you say "BYE" and we'll miss you! My son's 20 and he grew up seeing and talking to Mr. Crust outside the Goodrich School.

Get the word out! Tell everyone to stop him and shake his hand.

Let's make this MASSIVE

[se22cat]

Is the bobby with fair hair, often does his beat carrying a black folder? Patrols LL and side roads? If so he's a fantastic bloke and deserves a great send off.

[Cora]

Think it would be a great thing if the local businesses could offer him meals, cinema tickets etc...is there a Lordship lane business group who could organise this?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

He is a very lovely man. He has been introducing his replacement, Trisha, this past week who seems very nice, but he will be missed.

[mynamehere]

Yes all round, keep the ideas flowing and tell the local schools

[CataRosca]

Thanks mynamehere for sharing this information. Adrian is really great and should I see him I will definitely shake him hand. I would also gladly contribute to give him something in return. I can do gift voucher, though not restaurant or cinema.

Keep us up to date if any more ideas come up.

Cata

[mynamehere]

I'll walk down Lordship Lane Sat and see if I can get any gift meals from any restaurants. I'm thinking the marginal cost isn't high for a shop? We don't know each other, how can we chip in?

This just in from a photographer: get a load of neighbours to stand on the street and take a photo with the street name! Fabulous and easy and "free"

I'll put an email on to send photos of streets and neighbours waving and blowing kisses

Post neighbours blowing kisses and waving to the Met Facebook!!! What a great idea! He'll get happily ribbed

[Help-Ma-Boab]

A thin crust pizza from Franca Manca seems appropriate.

[Michael Palaeologus]

I never spoke to the chap, but having passed each other a couple of times he always greets me with a friendly smile and Hello.

Sorry to see him go and glad that at least we have a replacement.

[Pugwash]

Is Adrian definitely retiring as at the May Police Meeting he announced that he WAS NOT retiring even though he is of the age to go. Has he (or rather his wife) changed his mind.

I have known Adrian for 20 years. When we heard last year that he may retired the local community had started plans to give him a farewell party ( we did the same for Mick Bell) but when Adrian told several of us he did not want to go, we stopped the planning.

He does not live in the area - so coming back may be difficult. The only thing could be that they had suggested moving him from ED and that has prompted a change of mind. He is mad on cricket and also teaches this.

[Dodo1]

What a great idea!

We will be happy to contribute as we have Adrian to thank for support that he gave to get new lighting and making Melford Rd for the road one way (2006).

[kristymac1]

He'll be sadly missed by us! First encountered PC Crust 14yrs ago, a little after we moved to the area, he was great gen and a delightful ever-present since. Would be very happy to contribute to anything organised for him, just let me know details x

[matttee]

People could nominate him for an MBE. It's pretty easy and he'd be a good candidate. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nominate-someone-for-a-uk-national-honour

[Otta]

See now THAT is a good idea.

[mynamehere]

Pugwash do you want to restart the plan for a party you shelved? And then post it here?

I heard a story about PC Crust intervening in a residential matter that without him knowing all the people involved and knowing how to speak to them might have a taken a very ugly turn. With his intervention it's nothing more than a story.

I didn't get to restaurants to price a voucher for 2. Pugwash what do you think of that idea?

Upland Road is doing a group photo at the intersection with Goodrich Rood with people waving and the school and road signs and signs that say THANK YOU. We'll send the photo digitally and/ or post it on the MET Facebook site

[Pugwash]

It was only 2-3 weeks ago Adrian told us that he was NOT retiring so I think we need to confirm this first. He also spoke to a member of the Police Group whilst visiting the Bread of Life caf? 2 weeks ago about participating in an event in September.

When we did the party for Mick Bell at the ED Community Centre everyone who contributed towards a gift for Mick was invited and people were asked

to contribute towards catering costs in money or kind.

I will write to Martin the Chair of the ED SNT police group to clarify

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I spoke to Adrian four days ago. He is leaving and introduced his replacement.

[mynamehere]

Thanks Pugwash. I heard again today he's retiring and I heard it from the police at Camberwell Police Station.

Here's a photo we took on Upland Road. I'll post it on the Met Facebook page. And I'll buy a cake to take to Camberwell Police Station.

Please everyone post photos ? where? I'm not quite sure

I've sort of shelved the meal voucher idea. It's photos posted on-line, cake to Camberwell and maybe Pugwash's Party at the East Dulwich Community Centre.

And stop him when you see him in the street this week.

send photos and messages to

The address is [email protected]

[Pugwash]

I have been in touch with Martin the chair of the SNT police group who confirmed that Adrian popped in to tell him today that he was leaving on Friday. According to Sgt Victoria - Adrian wants to slip away quietly with no party of gifts etc. His last day of work is 28th May but is taking leave to go this week.

It is a pity unless we could get him to change his mind and come back in a few weeks time for a party.

Or if everyone recommends him for an Honours OBE/MBE - if the whole community backs this it would be great.

I believe I still have his badge number somewhere.

[mynamehere]

Thanks Pugwash. Slip away. Hmmm 30 years? And we don' t recognise someone who's helped us while, say loud mouthed politicians or fat chequed business honchos take credit where it isn't due and get feted and written up in books to be studied in schools.

I'm doing a huge amazing cake and card for Thursday. And we did the photo attached above, please do more photos!

I'd say: keep small gestures coming and be sure to talk to him when you see him even if he blushes

[red devil]

mynamehere, this is all turning into what you want. It's quite clear PC Crust doesn't want any fuss. Let him retire as he so obviously wants to...quietly.

[Otta]

What RD said.

[Pugwash]

Hopefully he will be at the Street Meeting on 22nd May so I will try and get some time off work to say goodbye.

Can you do a cricket themed cake - as cricket is his passion?