A LONGSTANDING collision investigator will retire this week after 30 years on the force.

Traffic Constable Paul Davenport joined North Yorkshire Police when he was 19-years-old and patrolled Knaresborough as a PC, before becoming a traffic officer in 1988.

Since then TC Davenport, who lives in Hambleton, has attended about 400 road traffic collisions, and been personally responsible for the investigations of about 200 fatal incidents.

He said: "It doesn't get any easier and has been quite challenging at times. Whilst we always remain professional at the scene and committed to getting the best evidence our thoughts are always with the victims and families of the victims.

"One of the biggest inquiries I dealt with was the Staxton Hill coach crash in 2008, when a poorly maintained coach careered down Staxton Hill near Scarborough and led to the deaths of two motorists, and a number of injuries of young children on the coach and after a protracted inquiry the owner of the coach and the driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter offences and causing death by dangerous driving."

TC Davenport was also responsible for the investigation of the incident in Haxby Road when Sam Wilson was killed.

He said: "That was my last noteworthy case. Not an easy scene but a scene that's a road crash but also a crime scene which is a wholly different style of investigation."

TC Davenport said he was pleased to have worked with a number of professionals throughout his career, and has enjoyed working with North Yorkshire County Council and other agencies on road safety schemes around the region.

He said: "I've noticed drivers being far less tolerant and whilst the evils of drink driving have greatly diminished, at the same time we've seen that replaced by people who are less tolerant and we've the new evil now which is mobile phone use.

"I'd estimate with my colleagues we have spoken to between 30,000 and 35,000 schoolchildren since 2000 so that's been thoroughly enjoyable and hopefully we've got the message across to promote sense and consideration."

Traffic Sergeant Paul Cording said he first met TC Davenport at the scene of a fatal crash in 2010, and found him knowledgeable, enthusiastic and happy to take time and share his wisdom.

He said: "This methodical way of dealing with collisions and always having the time to explain his findings was great for me being new to the department and his knowledge, experience and sense of humour will be sadly missed. I wish him all the very best for a long, healthy and happy retirement in whatever course his future now takes."

TC Davenport said he was "looking forward to a change of tack sometime in the autumn", but was planning to relax for a few months over the summer.

He said: "In the last 20 years we've gone from tape measures to 3D laser scanning and in the same time gone from black and white photography to state of the art high definition colour. We're ready to meet the challenges of the future. But I'm ready to sit back and enjoy my garden a bit more."

TC Davenport thanked his colleagues, his wife, Suzanne, and son Christopher for their support throughout his career.