A POLICE officer has taken his concerns for better protection for the elderly to the top.

Detective Constable Peter Clifford represented Cleveland Police at a private reception at 10 Downing Street, where he had a ten-minute chat with Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie - whom he made giggle.

As he listened to Prime Minister Tony Blair talk about domestic violence, joke-loving Det Con Clifford said in a stage whisper: "He'll get on that bloke, he can talk."

Mrs Blair, who was standing next to him, could not keep a straight face.

"She had a laugh and we spoke for quite a while," said the detective, well known for his work in burglary reduction work in east Cleveland.

"I told her I was concerned about the elderly and put in my bit for the pensioners and the vulnerable in society.

"Those who fall victim to burglary or other crime lose confidence in life, in the building where they live," said Det Con Clifford. "We have got to give them confidence and make sure they are not left outside the criminal justice system.

"We are part of the ageing population and I told her it was up to people like her to listen to these people and act.''

He told a "charming'' Mrs Blair it was up to the politicians to come up with advice and an answer.

Det Con Clifford is no stranger to being in the spotlight. He was cast as the referee in the film Bend it Like Beckham, with one sentence.

The burglar data collection officer delivered the unforgettable line: "Number Seven, come here'' when he showed the red card to Bollywood star Parminder Nagra.