Stephen Barber is a former soldier who joined the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in 1979 as a 16-year-old. He spent six years in the regiment, serving in Norway, Canada, West Berlin and Northern Ireland. After leaving the army, he joined the Metropolitan Police and was posted to Gerald Road Police Station, near Eaton Square, in central London. In 1992, he transferred to the West Yorkshire Police where he served in various departments including Community Policing, Firearms Support Unit, and as a Detective in the Force Intelligence Unit. Stephen is now retired and spends his time walking in the Yorkshire Dales and assisting as a volunteer at a local pre-school.