Police Scotland in fresh drive to recruit more special constables

Police Scotland has launched a recruitment campaign to increase the number of special constables.

The special constabulary is a part-time volunteer body consisting of officers with powers identical to those of police officers.

Duties can include policing football matches, assisting at road accidents, patrolling the streets and investigating crime.

The number of special constables has dropped by 62% since 2013.

Figures released to BBC Scotland under freedom of information laws show there were 517 special constables in 2019 - down from 1,391 in 2013 when Police Scotland was formed.

However, the force points out that in the same period more than 500 special constables have gone on to become full-time officers.

• Police Scotland numbers at highest level since 2017

• Climate summit policing will cost more than £200m

The recruitment drive comes amid warnings of "unsustainable" pressures on Police Scotland budgets ahead of November's UN climate change conference in Glasgow.

'A fresh perspective'

Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins said: "There are thousands of people living in Scotland who could bring the skills and talents from their own jobs into the role of a volunteer police officer.

"Police Scotland undoubtedly benefits from the experience volunteers bring, but it's also an opportunity unlike any other where you gain confidence, new skills and get the chance to help people in need or make their life better."

"Anyone is eligible to apply to become a special constable as long as they satisfy some basic requirements for the role, but ultimately we are looking for people who want to make a real difference to their communities and can bring a fresh perspective to the team they work in."

The number of volunteer police officers across England and Wales has also been falling in recent years.