A FORDINGBRIDGE councillor and former special police constable has had her long service medal stolen.

Cllr Ann Sevier received the medal for her service as a special constable for Hampshire Constabulary.

She was a special constable for 20 years. Specials are unpaid volunteers who have the same powers as regular police.

The burglary happened between 8.45am and 5.15pm on Wednesday, September 20.

Police say thieves damaged a window frame to gain access to the house in Blisssford Road. It is not believed anything other than the medal was stolen.

Cllr Sevier said: “Becoming a special constable was important to me as a way of helping my local community and the people of Fordingbridge for 20 years. A special constable is unpaid and sometimes does long hours but has a positive effect. I dealt with incidents that most people would not encounter in a lifetime.

“The reward for a special constable after nine years is the long service medal. My medal holds all the memories of my 20 years’ service and I am very sad to have had it stolen. I was also very relieved that the MBE I had received from the Queen for my police service was not in my dresser table drawer.”

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, or have seen the medal for sale anywhere, please call Hampshire police on 101 quoting 44170365922.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.