Police to take on more Specials

Jul 31 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE police has embarked on its biggest recruitment drive for special const- ables with the launch of a Shopwatch scheme.

It involves retail employees giving eight hours of their working month to mount visible patrols in their area, with another eight hours to be volunteered in their own time.

In return, they will receive police training in a wide range of personal safety issues.

Merseyside Police is looking to increase the number of Specials from 400 to 600 by March.

More than 50 retail businesses have so far signalled their support for the new scheme.

Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce said: “From the evidence we have seen, businesses can gain in a number of ways by investing in staff becoming Specials.”

All Specials are required to perform a minimum of 200 hours operational service each year.