Home Secretary announces 6,000 new Special Constables to boost community policing

The Special Constabulary is to be boosted by 6,000 new constables over the next three years.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today announced a £2.25 million funding package that will see 20,000 Special Constables working alongside Police Community Support Officers and Police Officers on the streets of local communities.

Special Constables are volunteers who serve as police officers in their own time, often in the evenings or at weekends. They are an intrinsic part of effective neighbourhood policing, working alongside Police Officers and PCSOs.

The new money will be used to further develop the role of the Special Constable - specifically to assist initiatives around their recruitment, training and development. It will also fund nine new regional co-ordinators.

Jacqui Smith said: "Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers are a vital part of our modern police service. They are the citizens who feel so deeply about their communities that that are prepared to put on a uniform and work alongside regular police officers and community support officers to help reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

"Every day of the week, Specials are making a real difference - responding to people's concerns and making communities safer places to live. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that the Special Constabulary can grow and continue their outstanding work."

A Special Constabulary national strategy and implementation team was established earlier this year to standardise procedures and further develop the constabulary.

Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, said: "The nine new regional co-ordinators will drive forward a more targeted approach to the recruitment and development of Special Constables.

"They will work closely with the local forces and the ACPO regional leads to identify need and provide solutions to enable more people to become involved and contribute to the policing of their communities through the role of Special Constable."