The daughter of a renowned police officer dubbed Robocop for his prolific arrest rate says his exploits inspired her to become a cop.

PC Rachel Evans has joined Nottinghamshire Police after hearing about her father’s time in the force – and in a fitting tribute has been given his old collar number.

Diederik Coetzee made national headlines for his extraordinary arrest rate in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

In 2005, he made 309 arrests while working in the town.

Sadly his policing career was cut short in 2011 when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver as he cycled to the gym.

He sustained serious head injuries and spent 15 months in hospital and rehabilitation centres before retiring on medical grounds.

It was during a visit to see her father in hospital that Rachel began to think about a career in policing.

The 31-year-old, who has joined the response team at Jubilee House police station in Mansfield, said: “My dream job as a child was to be a police officer but I ended up going down a different avenue, studying film at university. Then my dad had the accident and it made me rethink what I wanted to do.

“I would visit my dad in hospital and his colleagues were there telling me stories about how amazing he was at his job as a police officer. That sparked a rethink and I decided to join the police.

“I’ve been a police community support officer for eight years and I’m really excited to undertake this new challenge and become a police constable.”

Rachel was among 47 new recruits who passed out at a ceremony at Sherwood Lodge headquarters. The parade was overseen by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, after the recruits completed an 18-week training programme.

Dressed in full uniform, Rachel said she was proud to be wearing her father’s old collar number, 2450.

She said: “It means a lot to me as it’s carrying on his legacy. He’s such an inspirational person and had such a positive impact on the community he policed. It makes me feel so incredibly proud to wear his collar number.”

Moments after the ceremony, Mr Coetzee gave his daughter a huge hug.

He said: “I’m so proud of her. I’ve been waiting for this day – it’s nice to have a police officer in the family again.

“She’s got to make well over 300 arrests in one year to beat my record! It’s a big target but she’ll do it. She’s certainly got the brains to do it.”

At the time of the hit-and-run crash, which happened while Mr Coetzee was off duty and cycling to Blidworth in November 2011, his family were told to expect the worst.

He had been found in the middle of Blidworth Lane, having suffered serious head injuries in the collision.

Rachel said the incident had left the family “devastated” but said her father’s condition had slowly improved over the years.

She said it was great he could attend the passing out parade. ”I graduated from Derby University some years ago and unfortunately my dad wasn’t able to come to my graduation because he was in the early stages of his rehabilitation and wasn’t able to leave hospital.

“What was supposed to be a very happy moment was tainted with sadness because he wasn’t there and when I look at the photos it breaks my heart as he’s not in them. That is why I am very grateful, in so many ways, that he is able to see me passing out as a police officer.”

Anyone who wants to learn more about a policing career with the force should visit  https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/careers/nottinghamshire-police-officer