Pictured: The tiny police officer who has made British history... 5ft-tall Pc Port



They call him Laptop. But as Britain's smallest PC, Robin Port has heard all the jokes before.

At just 5ft tall in his police boots, he has learned that it helps to have a towering sense of humour.

The 29-year-old constable has made an impressive 17 arrests in his first month on the beat for the Devon and Cornwall force.

Small but effective: Britain's shortest ever police officer Pc Robin Port with his supervisor Inspector Matt Lawler (who is 6ft)

Which is evidence enough that this former soldier has what it takes to fight crime.

'I am very confident I can hold my own,' he said.

'I have martial arts training so I don't see myself as more at risk than any other police officer.



'In a situation where I might be faced with a 7ft bloke, their size also makes them vulnerable as I could sweep their legs out.

'When it comes to jokes about being short, I have heard them all so it's nothing new to me.

'I have learned that if people want to make an offensive comment towards a police officer they will find something to pick on, be it too short, too tall or having ginger hair or glasses.

'I've got quite a thick skin which is a requirement in this job. And the uniform still carries with it a lot of authority.'



Thick skin: Robin, originally from East Sussex, says members of the public have made comments about his stature but he was well used to the jokes about his height before joining the police

In the past, male recruits had to be at least 5ft 10in and women 5ft 4in to join many forces. But from the early 1990s, height restrictions have gradually been removed.

Now there are no British forces which still operate a minimum height requirement.

Before training as a police officer, PC Port was in the force's crime data input bureau as a civilian worker.

He was previously in the Army and served in Iraq and Northern Ireland, reaching the rank of Lance Corporal and being awarded several campaign medals.

'I was able to serve the country by joining the Army, whereas being a police officer is a chance to serve the community,' he said.

'My fellow recruits were all incredibly supportive and I always felt included like any other officer.'

PC Port's supervisor, Inspector Matt Lawler, who stands at 6ft, said he has already proved to be a first-rate frontline officer.

'I have been really pleased with PC Port's progress and the work he has done over the last two months,' he said.

'I am pleased to have him with us and continue to support him.