Volunteers give over 11,000 hours to help police Staffordshire's streets

More than 200 volunteers from the Special Constabulary have given up 11,062 hours since lockdown was implemented by Government on March 23.

Among those giving up their time is Danny Gault, from Stafford, who was furloughed from his full-time job as a mechanic. He joined the Special Constabulary at the end of April virtually, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

The 22-year-old said: "I want to become a police officer so becoming a Special means you can get some training to go into it.

“There’s not a lot more you can be doing when you are furloughed. I wanted to help out and make a difference so I wanted to volunteer in some way.

“It’s meant that I’ve been building on experience and getting as many hours in as possible to help the force and police the streets.”

Scott Matthews, from Market Drayton, in Shropshire, joined in December 2019 and sees the Specials as a stepping stone to becoming a full-time police officer. The 31-year-old currently works in telesales in Trent Vale, but was furloughed – meaning he has upped his hours of volunteering from one day a week, to two or three.

He said: “I have learnt more than ever over the last month that I’ve volunteered more – I’ve picked up so much more experience and knowledge.

“I’ve been furloughed from my normal work but now I’m needed in my role as a Special more than ever. The way I see it is that I’ve got spare time so I can give more shift hours and it gives me more opportunity.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about giving extra support.”

Since March 23, Staffordshire Police's Special Constabulary have made 25 arrests, assisted with 68 arrests, attended 28 road traffic collisions, seized 31 vehicles and completed 56 stop searches.

Tony Athersmith, Chief Officer of Specials, said: “The help that the Specials have given to the force during this unprecedented time has been absolutely invaluable.

“The Specials have assisted in arrests, patrolled the streets, stopped and seized vehicles, carried out stop searches and attended road traffic collisions.

“It’s incredible to see how some of them have been using their furloughed time to give back to their communities – it’s a selfless act that hasn’t been taken for granted by anyone at Staffordshire Police.”

The Special Constabulary is made up of volunteers who, when on duty, wear a uniform and have full police powers.