"I used to commit a lot of anti-social behaviour and got into trouble, but my life is different now.”

Teenager Matthew Graham credits volunteering with helping to turn his life around. The Woodside teenager gives time to West Yorkshire Police, helping in areas including community events, road traffic accidents and crime prevention.

“I accompany Police Community Support Officers and speak to residents about their concerns and give them crime updates,” he says. “Lately I’ve helped with an anti-spiking campaign for drinkers.”

Most people associate volunteering with charities or community projects. Few are aware that it forms an important part of policing across the country. Community volunteers work with police forces, lending their services to help at events or to give support following front-line operations.

“Our volunteers come in when they can to lend support to police officers,” explains Sergeant Vanessa Rolfe, who, with Inspector Dan Wood, acts as force co-ordinator for special constables and volunteers.

“They may be invited to help at an event such as giving safety and crime prevention advice at bonfire gatherings, festivals or sporting events, or they could help deliver crime prevention messages in areas where we are targeting crimes such as burglary or robbery.”

Working alongside police officers and PCSOs, volunteers – who wear high-visibility tabards – can act as community contact points at events. A key role next year will be helping during the Yorkshire leg of the Tour de France.

At present there are around 200 volunteers registered across the West Yorkshire force and more are needed. A campaign is running to attract more people to this interesting and rewarding role, including an online forum for people wishing to find out more.

Community centre worker Matthew was introduced to volunteering by Police Constable Aimee Procter PCSOs Sam Brown and Paul Walker. Says PC Procter: “He has done so well, the turnaround has been unbelievable. Volunteering has really helped.”

Bradford College student Anna Scott has been volunteering for a year. She found out about the scheme while working with a PCSO as part of her studies.

“I really enjoy it,” she says. “I have given out safety information for people on nights out – things like how to make sure their drinks don’t get spiked and to avoid unlicensed taxis. I have also done crime prevention letter drops. I have an officer with me or close by.

“I like engaging with the public – it helps improve my communication skills and I am learning new skills, too. The experience will help with job applications.”

Volunteers, who attend only when they are able, are drawn from all sections of the community. “Male, female, people from all ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities,” says Sgt Rolfe.

“The minimum age is 16 and there is no upper limit. We have people in their 80s, and in certain areas we have a high number of students who help out with leaflet drops or environmental audits where they talk to residents about how their area can be improved.”

Recruits also help with speed camera operations. Visible at the roadside, the sight of their tabards cause people to slow down, says Sgt Rolfe.“They also gather intelligence,” she adds, “Often people will tell them what is happening in an area – they are sometimes seen as more approachable.”

The force also recruits police support volunteers who attend regularly to help with set tasks such as CCTV enquiries or internet research.

Community volunteers give as many hours as they choose. Inspector Dan Wood of West Yorkshire Police’s force improvement unit, says: “We know that there is a massive public willingness to help the police and this scheme aims to tap into that for everyone’s benefit.

“Being able to call upon significant numbers of community- spirited people who can don a high-visibility vest and work alongside us at a wide range of policing initiatives helps keep communities safe and feeling safe.”

Adds Matthew, who hopes to join the police: “My life is different now – I walk to the police station and instead of going into the cells, I go into the offices.”

For more details, visit westyorkshire.police.uk/ recruitment/volunteers.