NORTH Yorkshire Police are hoping to recruit 100 volunteers to help in the fight against crime.

The volunteers are set to assist behind front office inquiry counters, offer crime prevention advice out in the community and help with administration during major investigations.

A force spokesman said they would also carry out checks on the vehicle fleet and help ensure callers to the force control room are dealt with politely and efficiently. However, they would not be answering calls themselves but would instead be involved in monitoring the way staff handled calls.

“Volunteers work alongside police officers and police staff, supporting their work to keep the communities a safe place to live and work,” he said.

“They offer a different perspective to delivering policing services and increase engagement with the communities, providing opportunities to develop positive relations among people from all backgrounds.”

He said the force already had 120 volunteers but was aiming to recruit another 100 by July.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said the force already had an excellent working relationship with volunteers across North Yorkshire who provided their valuable time to work alongside officers and staff.

He said: “They are an integral part of the policing family, providing an enhanced policing service to communities and enable police officers and police staff to spend more time performing their core role.

“Volunteers bring with them a whole range of skills and experience which complement the work of their colleagues, while developing their own abilities. This is a great opportunity to join the team and work alongside the local police in supporting the community.”

Nigel Drayton, Deputy Head of Volunteering, who has worked on the front counter at his local police station, said: “It’s a great experience and very worthwhile.”

• For more information, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/volunteers

Open days are also being planned, including one at the National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York, between 2pm and 6pm on Monday, March 17, and another at the Selby District AVS, Community House, Portholme Road, Selby, between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday March 25.