IN countless ways, volunteering is the glue which holds our society together.

People who volunteer gain vital experience and build confidence. And organisations which are lucky enough to attract volunteers benefit by saving costs and creating important community links.

But just as we should not underestimate the value of volunteering, we should not take it for granted either.

There is, therefore, a balance to be struck in David Cameron’s vision for the “Big Society”. Using volunteers to enrich our society is a philosophy we support – but there is a line to be drawn.

It is a myth to expect volunteering to plug every gap created in public services by the Government’s austerity drive. Cuts have to be made and, sadly, jobs have to be lost if the deficit is to be tackled.

But expertise cannot always be replaced by raw enthusiasm and a willingness to work for free.

In a move likely to be duplicated by other forces, Darlington Police have issued an open invitation to volunteers to sign up to a wide range of unpaid “core policing roles”.

Volunteers may find themselves working in CID, event planning, or forming part of a “street angels” service.

Public sector cuts are biting so deeply that it is impossible to avoid an impact on the frontline.

We wish police forces well in their pursuit of talented volunteers – but we also urge them to proceed with caution.