Queen's medal for first black policeman

London's first black policeman, Norwell Roberts, yesterday received the Queen's Police Medal, and was congratulated by the Prince of Wales for his dedication in staying nearly 30 years in the job.

Detective Sergeant Roberts, as he now is, said afterwards: "The Prince told me `we need more people like you'.

"He is right, because we do need more black policemen to make the police more representative of the community."

His original appointment in 1967 created widespread interest but he said it took years for him to be accepted by his colleagues.

"I wanted to do it," he said. "I had something I wanted to prove to myself.

"I am still proving it, but I think I have earned people's respect. I think it has all been worthwhile."

Det Sgt Roberts, 50, based at Golders Green in north-west London, came to Britain from the Leeward Islands when he was nine years old.

He said he planned to retire next year.

"I intend to write a book about my experiences," he added. "It will be humorous, but there will be a bit of straight talking."

Latest figures show that the Metropolitan Police has 790 officers from minority ethnic groups - representing 2.8 per cent of its 27,700-member force.

In the rest of England and Wales, non-white officers make up 1.7 per cent.

In Scotland, the figure is 0.2 per cent.

Recent research has suggested it would take at least 20 years for the police to reflect the ethnic mix of the United Kingdom's population.