Superhero crimefighters

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Superhero duos like Batman and Robin haven't a patch on real crime-fighting husband-and-wife team Cynthia and David Hatcher.

Between them, the couple have pounded the H&F streets as special officers for 64 years, and were the longest-serving specials in the borough.

David retired on February 28 after 28 years, following his wife, who stepped down two years ago after an impressive 34 years' service.

Cynthia, 67, who can't 'sit and stagnate', carried on as a police volunteer for another two years. They left on a high, each retiring at the level of special police inspector, and had tea with the mayor, Cllr Alex Karmel, on March 4.

Cllr Karmel said: "After so many years of helping others, I hope that they will now take some time out for themselves and enjoy their retirement from the force together."

Cynthia and David - who have been married for 28 years - met on the job in
1980, when David, 63, was a supervisor at Queen's Park Rangers and Cynthia was helping police the matches.

Cynthia laughs: "He liked the uniform! No, I'm joking, we just got to know each other working at the football."

Ten days before their wedding in November 1981, at All Saints Church, Fulham, David became a special too.

He recalls: "When we came out of the church, we had a guard of honour... and then they put handcuffs on us!"

David and Cynthia used to live in Colwith Road, but now live in Morden. Cynthia, Fulham girl born and bred, is originally from Queensmill Road.

"I went to Queens Manor primary school, then Burlington, when it was all-girls. I was also a cub scout leader for years at 21st Fulham and 10th Hammersmith," she says. "I still keep my hand in by doing some calligraphy work for the mayor's office."

Do they miss it? "It's early days," says David. "I only left recently and I'm still working as a builder's estimator and surveyor, so it's not really sunk in properly yet. I think it will when I have my retirement party."

"That's when I'm getting my own back," Cynthia chips in. "When I retired I had a surprise do and didn't have a clue. David knew all about it so now it's the other way around.

"We'll miss our colleagues - the specials are like a family and most called me Mum. Even though we're leaving, we're not really, because we're still involved. I'm making a wedding cake for one of the team.

"We're part of the furniture, really."