LANCASHIRE police are boosting the involvement of unpaid volunteers as they bid to recruit 500 new special constables and cadets.

The drive for more citizens’ involvement comes as the force struggles to meet government demands for budget cuts and a fall in the number of fully-warranted officers from 3,640 to 3,111 in five years.

It will mean more members of the public using speed guns on their streets to catch law-breaking drivers and manning front counters of police stations facing closure.

A key element is the recruitment of a new body of 300 volunteer 13 to 19-year-old police cadets across the county after a successful trial in Burnley over the last year.

The number of special constables will rise from 424 to 650 over the next three years while the number of accredited police support volunteers will double to 600 over the next five years.

The strategy will expand ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ schemes and make greater use of community groups to guide young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime. There will be a roll-out of schemes based on the successful Colne Community Panel to resolve neighbour disputes and support restorative justice to reconcile victims and their tormentors.

New Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “I am proud to be part of the ‘Citizens in Policing’ programme, offering local residents the chance to make a real difference.

"It will allow people of all ages and from all different backgrounds the chance to follow in the footsteps of our existing volunteers and help maintain and strengthen important links with Lancashire's communities.

“Volunteers can make a crucial contribution to our communities, acting as advocates for the police, increasing understanding and building cooperation and trust helping to make Lancashire a better place to live and work.

“Budding actors could take part in training role plays with our staff. People could assist with community safety leafleting while others could raise customer confidence by helping their Neighbourhood Policing Team with office enquiries.

“Volunteering introduces different perspectives, skills, and experience into the policing family.”