Shaw Taylor - Police 5

Shaw Taylor, best remembered as the presenter of long-running UK TV crime series Police 5, would have been 100 years old this week.

Born on 26th October 1924, Eric Stanley Taylor, known professionally as Shaw, was a British actor and TV presenter who presented Police 5 on TV for 30 years (between 1962 and 1992).

Police 5 encouraged viewers to participate in solving crimes by sharing information, making Taylor one of the first to combine television with community-based crime prevention. His catchphrase, "Keep 'em peeled," became iconic, urging viewers to stay alert to potential crimes.

Born in London’s East End, he served in the RAF and upon leaving the services he trained as an actor at RADA. He went on to act on stage in London’s West End and on tour across the UK. He became an announcer on ATV, going on to present TV game shows and acting in 1950s TV series.

He initially started presenting Police 5 in the London TV area, going on to take the show to other regions such as Central in the Midlands and TVS in the South. The series ended its 30 year run in December 1992.

Shaw Taylor died in March 2015 in the Isle of Wight at the age of 90. His legacy in TV crime and safety awareness broadcasting remains significant.