Ilkley Police are seeking more Special Constables to help fight crime in the town.

At present the town has just one Special Constable - 28-year-old Gavin Hunter - and he has backed the call for more Ilkley-based volunteers to join him on the beat.

Inspector Paul Clynch, of Ilkley police, said: "One Special isn't really adequate in terms of cover and the more Specials we have who are actually from the area, the better the service we'll be able to deliver.

"Their value to us is that we have people working alongside us who are from the local community and have an interest in it. It's a way to expand our contacts with local people and it can help us be seen as more approachable.

"We see them as a valuable tool in our work. The work they do is greatly appreciated and it gives them a real sense of doing something positive for their own community.''

Insp Clynch added that the part-time volunteer officers were given full training before being placed alongside experienced officers.

Mr Hunter, a former ambulanceman who now works as a sales manager for a mobile phone company, said: "I joined the Specials in Keighley four years ago because we'd had a spate of burglaries where I lived and I felt I wanted to give something back to the community. I've been in Ilkley since last July.

"I love the work. It gives you a real sense of involvement in the community and you're actually doing something to help.

"If anyone's thinking of trying it, I'd say 'Give it a go'. You get a lot of enjoyment and fulfilment and it helps you brush up your inter-personal skills.''

Mr Hunter added: "The work includes accompanying a regular officer on patrol - usually in a vehicle but sometimes on foot round the town - but we also do public order patrols, traffic duties and policing things like carnivals, parades and other special events in the area.

"I've also done pro-active work where I'm in plain clothes looking for shoplifters.

"You don't get paid but you do get travel and footware allowances. You have to do a minimum of 16 hours a month but I normally do about 35.''

The minimum age of entry to the Special Constabulary is 18 and a half with the maximum age at 50. Would-be recruits wanting further information should contact PC John Heald on (01535) 617069.

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