Police are holding open evenings to encourage local people to join Essex Special Constabulary.

Special constables are volunteers who give up a few hours of their time each month to provide support to the police.

New recruits should be aged between 18 and 50, physically fit with good eyesight. No formal qualifications are required.

Specials come from all walks of life but successful applicants will need to think on their feet, enjoy working as a team and share a concern for their local community.

Working alongside regular officers, recruits will be assigned to specific beat areas and will be involved in challenging activities such as policing a local football match, arresting a shoplifter, attending accident scenes or patrolling a beat.

Open evenings are to be held at police stations on the following dates:

Southend - January 25 at 8pm

Rayleigh - January 26 at 8.30pm

Basildon - January 26 at 8pm

Grays - January 28 at 8pm

Anyone interested should first contact the Special Constabulary Recruitment Hotline on 01245 452824.

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