VOLUNTEER policeman Shaid Khan has been rewarded for his nine-year mission to build up trust between the Asian community and the police.

The mechanic turned part-time bobby took up the challenge of tackling mistrust of the police in his early 20s.

Now his work has been marked with a long service and good conduct award from Lancashire Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

"Things were very hard when I joined because there were only two other Asian officers working with me, and they both left after a while," says Shaid, 31, who lives in the Preston New Road area of Blackburn.

"It was also difficult for youngsters in the Asian community to come to terms with what I was doing - I was only in my early 20s and there was a feeling that I was betraying my roots. They didn't respect my authority at first.

"But I managed to build a relationship with the community based on trust and understanding, and along the way I have made a lot of friends."

Shaid, who works at Crossfield Service Station, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, says: "A lot of the police work I have done has been within the Asian community - going into mosques to sort out disputes, for example.

"I have helped to sort out situations which other officers could not, because I speak the Asian languages and I understand people's problems." Shaid, who is stationed at Blackburn and has also worked at Haslingden, Bacup, Accrington, Great Harwood and Preston, says the most frightening moments come when police constables are outnumbered.

"It can be a bit difficult sometimes when ten or twelve angry people are gathered round you, and you are waiting for back-up, but that is when you talk to people to defuse the situation."

He says his presence on the streets has led to other Asians joining the police.

Today Blackburn police have four Asian special constables in addition to their regular Asian officers.

Shaid's boss Ghulam Abbas has also received a certificate of appreciation from the Chief Constable for allowing him time off to help the police in emergencies.

Shaid, who has lived all his life in Blackburn, says he always wanted to be a police officer, but that being a mechanic has its advantages.

"The motor trade is something which has always been in my family, and it is something I want to carry on with. Being a special gave me the chance to see what police work is like.

"My skills as a mechanic are very useful when it comes to work like roadside car checks. I think I have the best of both worlds."

The Special Constabulary is open to most people aged between 18 years six months and 50. Volunteers have to be reasonably fit and in good health.

The duties range from town centre foot patrolling and assisting with crime prevention work to dealing with suspicious incidents and helping at fires and road accidents.

Anyone interested in joining the Specials can call Lancashire police headquarters on 01772 614444 or their local police station.

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