The legacy of two former long-serving cops will live on across the West Midlands after their sons joined the force and took on their old collar numbers.

Student officers Alex Mand and Matt Price have followed in their family footsteps after joining the latest West Midlands Police training cohort at the force’s Tally Ho base.

In a nice touch the new recruits have been passed down the collar numbers - which are used to identify an officer and worn on their epaulettes - which previously belonged to their dads Tony and Bal who worked together, first as PCs at Dudley and then Sergeants in Wolverhampton.. The pair have since retired from WMP after their 30 years service. 

Matt is now PC 4491 after dad Tony who ended his service in 2014 after working as a custody officer. The 23-year-old from Wolverhampton, has previously worked in retail and as police staff. He said:

"To be a police officer and follow the family tradition is something I have dreamed of for a while. My aim is to make a difference by protecting the public and supporting the vulnerable. 

"It is a really nice feeling for both my father, and myself, to have this collar number as there is an emotional attachment. His achievements are something I want to emulate."

Former bar worker Alex from Dudley, who has also been a police staff member, is now PC 2027. The 25 year-old is following on from his father Bal who started on the beat in Dudley; before becoming a Sergeant in Wolverhampton and retiring as an Inspector at Oldbury Custody Block in January last year. Alex said:

"I have always looked up to my dad and saw the positive impact he had on the community as a police officer. It inspired me to follow in his footsteps and it is a great feeling to take over his old collar number.

"The challenge now is to try and match his career and make the difference he did over all those decades. It is something I am relishing."