THE recruitment process for Special Constables in Lancashire has been streamlined in a bid to keep the force on line to meet Home Office targets.

Candidates will now no longer have to take part in role play during interviews and the application form has been condensed. Overall, the recruitment process has been halved from 12 to six weeks. Lancashire has suffered from a lack of applicants to join the Special Constabulary in the past and the action has been taken so that a target to boost the force strength by 651 officers can be met by 2005.

A recruitment drive will be held in January.

Chief Inspector Warren Turner, the force's resourcing manager, said: "Specials are an important and greatly appreciated resource and we must ensure that procedures enable us to more effectively recruit and retain the right people. The initiatives will also assist in increasing representation from all minority groups."