A FYLDE policeman has spoken of his relief at arriving home safely from the riot-torn island of East Timor.

Sgt Tony Parker, who is based at Kirkham police station, risked his life as part of a United Nations police team guarding officials during the island's independence elections.

The 42-year-old flew home last week after four months away to be reunited with his partner PC Ciara Campbell who is based at Fleetwood.

And Tony told the Citizen how he feared for his life as the island descended into violence.

"At first everything was fine but after the election all hell broke loose. It was basically mob rule on the streets with civilians being attacked by the militia who were just thugs.

"On the evening of the election we could hear a lot of gunfire outside our compound in Baucau. Heavily armed militia men were banging on the doors trying to break in. We were unarmed so there was no way we could have defended ourselves.

"But the Indonesian army arrived to give us an escort to the airport."

He was safely airlifted to Darwin, Australia, three days later. But he told of the heart-wrenching feelings at leaving local people behind.

"As we were leaving for the airport a woman ran up to our truck and tried to hand me her baby. But we could not take it because the militia would have attacked us.

"You cannot help feeling a little guilty about something like that but there was nothing we could do.

"I later felt a whole mix of emotions - sadness, relief and guilt. But staying in Darwin gave me time to get my head together and a certain calm came over me."

Once there he was able to contact Ciara and the two were finally reunited last week at Heathrow airport.

Policewoman Ciara said: "When we met we just hugged each other. There was nothing we could say. I was just so pleased to see him safe and well after all he has been through."

Tony is now on four weeks leave before returning to work.

He added: "It is good to be back. Conditions were tough out there. There were no washing facilities and the food was basic. It is even a relief to be back in the cool weather after the heat and humidity.

"Experiencing the events in East Timor certainly puts a new perspective on things.

"I will just relax for a while now and meet a few friends before returning to work."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.