SPECIAL constables have given nearly 2,000 hours of service in south Wiltshire this year.

They are volunteer police officers who have the same powers and wear the same uniform as regular officers.

Inspector Pete Sparrow told a meeting of Salisbury Area Board last Thursday that the forces special constabulary had done some “fantastic” work and since the beginning of January special constables have given 1,900 hours of their time to support the South Wiltshire Community Policing Team.

Wiltshire Police is currently recruiting for special constables. They carry out a range of roles including responding to calls for assistance from the public, recording and investigating crime and helping the community to resolve local issues, carrying out patrols, and taking witness and victim statements.

Special constables are also able to arrest and detain suspects.

Assistant chief constable Gavin Williams, Wiltshire Police lead for citizens in policing, said: “We are looking for members of the public to take up this unique volunteer role in support of policing across our local communities.

“The public play a key role in policing, and through volunteering enrich policing with skills and experience from business and industry.”

The deadline to apply is noon on Tuesday, April 16. To apply visit specials.wiltshire.police.uk