THIRTEEN new officers who are set to patrol the streets of Bolton have been getting to know the community they will be serving.

Greater Manchester Police have taken on 98 student officers in their latest round of recruitment and 13 of them have been allocated to the Bolton division.

The officers started their training on July 31 as they start a two-year probation period.

Last week all the officers undertook a week-long induction of the area they will police.

During the week the officers visited community centres, religious establishments, support services, local mortuaries and also take part in volunteering opportunities with groups in the area.

The two-year training includes classroom-based learning and a year of active patrolling and during the training officers have the same role as that of regular officer, including the power of arrest.

Giving the new recruits the equipment they need to be on the beat allows them to be trained appropriately.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins for Greater Manchester Police, said: “Our communities are our heart which is why it’s so important for our new recruits to understand their local areas and become a part of them.

“The areas across this region are filled with diverse representatives from all walks of life, which make this week a great opportunity to also learn from more experienced colleagues who already established within these areas.”

GMP has been recruiting student officers throughout this year and this is the third intake in the past few months.

In March eight new officers started their training in the borough and as part of their week in the community volunteered with Urban Outreach and learnt about how the police work with the charity to help people.

In May 100 new officers started training across GMP and 13 of these were for the Bolton community.

In addition to the week in the community, the student officers will complete a 1,000 word assignment about the area they will be policing. The project will see them identify a community issue or problem and highlight what work is being carried out to address the issue.

It allows them to familiarise themselves with the issues and diversity of the area they will serve.

The force has been recruiting student officers over the past 12 months to fill gaps left by people.

Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of how GMP carries out its work so it sees it as vital they get to know the communities they will serve as soon as possible.

The new officers will be officially sworn in as part of a formal ceremony at Manchester Grammar School today.

It is a chance for the family and friends of new recruits to watch them make their oath to uphold their role with Greater Manchester Police.

n For more information about recruitment go to www.gmp.police.uk/recruitment