TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'well-known and popular' Ministry of Defence police officer Robert 'Robin' Hall.

Robin, who served in the Ministry of Defence police force for 40 years, peacefully passed away at the age of 71 at the Cumberland Infirmary on Thursday, February 22.

Robin's career as a Ministry of Defence police officer saw him rise to the rank of inspector and had him stationed across the UK in Northern Ireland, Scotland, London, and eventually Longtown, where he retired in 2011. 

After learning of Robin's passing, the Ministry of Defence police, with the permission of his family, paid tribute to the dedicated former officer.

An MoD police spokesperson said: "The force is saddened to learn of the death of retired Inspector Robin Hall.

"Robin was a well-known and popular MoD Police (MDP) officer who retired in 2011 after 40 years’ service.

"He began his career in 1971 at Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, with the Air Force Department Constabulary – which became part of the MDP in the same year - and following promotion in 1975 transferred to RAF Sydenham.

"Robin then moved to COD Donnington in 1978 before gaining promotion to Inspector in 1983 and transferring to Faslane in Scotland.

"Robin undertook detached duty to the Empress State Building, London, becoming Senior Police Office (SPO) at Catterick Garrison in 1989.

"He then became SPO at Longtown in 1996 where he remained until his retirement in 2011."

The Ministry of Defence Police also shared details of Robin's upcoming funeral at Carlisle Crematorium on Monday, March 11, with his family inviting serving officers to attend in uniform and asking donations to be made to charities close to his heart. 

They said: "Robin’s funeral will be held at Carlisle Crematorium on Monday, March 11 at 1pm and his family welcome all who wish to attend and would be pleased to see serving officers attend in uniform.

"Family flowers only - donations to Diabetes UK and The Devil's Porridge charities in Robin’s memory."