Tony Fowler
To the outside world, Tony Fowler is just a milkman, braving the early
morning cold to deliver fresh supplies to people's doorsteps in time for
breakfast.
But to the residents along the 100 mile-route he travels every day, he is
an invaluable local crimefighter, acting as the eyes and ears of the 21
villages on
his round while most people are still asleep.
Tony, 48, has been responsible for an astonishing number of arrests in
areas where there is no police station for miles.
Over the last 20 years, his crimefighting record has included stopping
robberies, busting drug deals and chasing youths intent on stealing.
He once managed to foil a gang of car thieves by blocking their escape
with his milk float. He also chased robbers who had raided a post office
and called the police when they outran him.
During one of his rounds, Tony observed a drug deal worth hundreds of
pounds before reporting it to police. He also chased youths away from a
golf course when he spotted them trying to steal clubs, and he helped
stop the local village store from flooding.
Tony also keeps an eye on people's homes when they are away and has even
rescued an elderly woman with Alzheimer's from a fire.
Vulnerable locals say they totally rely on him as he drops off
prescriptions at their homes in and around Melton Mowbray,
Leicestershire.
Tony's customers say his smiling face brings a ray of sunshine to the
hundreds of people he delivers to from an 18mph float decorated with
pictures of crimefighting duo Batman and Robin.
And he even finds the time to raise money for charity, delivering
leaflets for good causes and organising sponsored pushes of his float.
"It's the little things that count as much as the bigger things," says
father-of-one Tony. "I'd hope that people would do the same for me if I
was in trouble.
"You just don't have time to think about things and it isn't really an
option not to help somebody. You don't ask, you just do it.
"I've been a milkman for more than 20 years and I notice when things are
out of place or amiss in the community.
"The motto on the back of my float is 'Crime: Together We'll Crack It',
and I believe that."
Even his local police force are keen to show their gratitude for his help
as a crimebuster.
"Over the years, Tony has helped us bring several criminals to justice,
as well as all the other things he does for the community, and we'd like
to say a big thank you to him," says PC Keith James of Leicestershire
Police.
"People like him are so important to our communities, and I know how much
people appreciate what he does."