Police campaign is urging more to take on special role

The recruitment campaign is launched today across the county. There are already more than 170 special constables, but North Yorkshire Police are committed to increasing this number and hope it will rise to 300 by the end of March next year.

To encourage more people to become special constables, the force is running a campaign that includes radio advertising, as well as posters, leaflets and exhibition stands being displayed at police stations, community centres, council offices and other venues.

A number of specials in the force's eastern, western and central areas feature in the campaign and, as well as the beekeeper and others, include a husband and wife team.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, head of the force's community safety department, said: "Over the past two months, 34 special constables have been sworn in and are now an integral part of North Yorkshire Police's recently introduced neighbourhood pol-icing teams."

He said they would focus on local priorities, "using all available powers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour to improve the quality of life in our local communities.

"We now want to encourage even more people to become special constables and hope that the promotional campaign we are launching this week will demonstrate the exciting opportunities, challenges and rewards that being a special constable can bring.

"Special constables serve a minimum of four hours a week and do everything a regular police officer does, but they also hold down their own regular job at the same time, so it can be a demanding role.

"If people in North Yorkshire and the City of York think they are up to the challenge, we will provide them with all the training and support they need."

He added: "If you think you are special enough, then we would love to hear from you."

The radio advertising campaign starts today and will run for one week on Stray FM, Fresh Radio and Minster FM.