VOLUNTEERS are being called on to come forward to help police the streets of Maldon.

Maldon Town Council agreed to fund three special constables under an Essex Police scheme at a meeting in July.

Now recruitment is taking place to fill the roles.

Special constables have the same role as a normal police officer, only they will give up their time voluntarily to help tackle crime in the town.

Successful applicants will patrol priority areas across the town and respond to police incidents.

Maldon Town Council will fund the expenses of the constables, which are estimated to be around £1,000 per special per year.

Councillor Mark Heard proposed the idea earlier this year and organised the special council meeting to bring forward the plans.

He said: “I would really like to encourage people to come forward to take up the special constable mantle.

“We worked hard to get to this position to agree on funding, and now we need the support of our community to get the positions filled.

“It’s a great opportunity to get more visible policing in Maldon which residents have been asking for.”

Potential new recruits will all be put on a rigorous training course to give them the skills and expertise they need to carry out the same role as a police officer.

Once qualified, they will have the same policing powers as the rest of the service.

Special Constables are subject to the same code of ethics and standards of professional behaviour as regular officers, whether on or off duty.

To apply or find out more about the roles, visit www.essex.police.uk/join-the-police/special-constabulary.