Thaindian News

London, Nov 18 (IANS) Teased as the “Big Friendly Giant” — based on a character in a children’s book — a seven-feet-two-inches tall policeman is the tallest in Britain, while standing three feet below him, a four-feet-ten-inches tall woman is the smallest police officer in the country.

Anthony Wallyn, a 25-year-old police constable, has size 17 boots, and is so tall he has to have his uniform custom-made by the Met Police, says the Daily Mail.

A 37-year-old woman police constable Sue Day is the smallest officer in Britain, and is part of an emergency response team in Swindon, 87 km from London.

Despite his height, Anthony Wallyn is known in the department as the “BFG” because of his “friendly nature”. He has now become a celebrity with tourists queueing up to have photographs taken with him.

“In the job it is sometimes handy being so tall because I can see over the crowds in big public order situations and watch out for any trouble.”

Anthony said he hopes to join the elite Territorial Support Group unit in the Met Police tackling major incidents of disorder in London.

He said he comes from a tall family. “My older sister who is training to be a nurse is six feet three inches, my mum is five feet 11 inches and my dad is six feet one inch.”

A spokesperson for the Police Federation — which represents 124,000 officers — said there was no police officer in the force taller than Anthony.

Sue Day — known as the smallest police officer in the country — says her tiny frame can bring benefits when she is out fighting crime.

“My size can be a big advantage. People give me respect for being this short and being a woman, while at the same time being a police officer, especially in confrontational situations,” she said.

“Sometimes I’ve been out … when nightclubs are emptying and there has been a brawl. But when the fighters see me they calm down. They say they would never hit a woman, especially one my size,” she said.