THE number of people in Bolton willing to give up some of their free time to carry out the work of a Special Constable is falling.

At the same time, the Government is hoping to attract more volunteers to become part-time policemen and women in its battle against crime.

LOUISA GREGSON spoke to a group of Special Constables, who gave their views on why the numbers of new recruits have dropped and explained why they love their rewarding second job.

THINK of the police force and you probably do not think of the volunteers, the Specials, but they are out there.

Patrolling the streets, standing up to drunks on a Saturday night, coping with crowds at football matches...

In short, they are an important and necessary part of the police force. But applicants are dwindling and the number of Special Constables in Bolton has fallen dramatically.

In just seven years the number has dropped from 120 to 44 in the town.

The decline in figures is part of a growing trend nationally and has sparked a Government drive to boost recruitment.

Last year Bolton saw two recruitment drives, one at Asda at Middlebrook and one in Leverhulme Park, attract little interest. But another is planned this weekend and police are hopeful of getting new volunteers to join up.

Peter Ryder, a Special Constable in Bolton for 17 years, blames modern day careers for the dwindling numbers. He claims people are under more stress in the workplace and are unable to give time to voluntary work at the expense of leisure time. But, he says, this does not have to be the case.

"There are 168 hours in a week. You can break that down to 56 hours work, 56 hours leisure and 56 hours sleep," said Peter. "All we ask is a minimum of four hours of that 56 hour leisure time."

Mr Ryder, who is a regional safety manager for Consignia, said he often found himself with time on his hands and being a Special Constable was a satisfying way to use it.

He said: "We are here to help the regular police exceed their requirements. With us as back up they can go that little bit extra. It is exhilarating, exciting work."

Karen Smith, a school secretary at All Saints CE in Farnworth, has been a Special Constable for eight years and enjoys the variety of work. She said: "People automatically think that you will be working on the streets, but it is more involved than that.

"You end up working with other departments and it is very unpredictable. You end up doing all sorts, and it is a way of giving something to the community, instead of just taking."

Jean Bell, a stock controller at Matalan on Tonge Moor Road has been a Special Constable for 12 years.

She harboured dreams of being a policewoman in her 20s, but said it was only when she divorced in her 40s that she found the freedom to join the Specials.

She said: "It gives you so many good things. You feel good when you get into your uniform and know you are doing something for the community. It boosts your morale.

"There is a wide range of age groups, and a mixture of abilities, with everyone bringing different qualities. We all get on well socially and build a rapport."

Training is intense in order to get the officers out on to the streets as soon as possible, and all Special Constables are issued with the same uniform and equipment as regulars.

Andrew Heyes, a Special Constable at Bolton for 11 years, is also a full time central control operator for a careline. He said he has seen recruits change for the better in their new role.

He said: "New recruits develop strong communication skills. You see them coming in as new Specials and they won't say boo to a goose, but they develop a lot of confidence and blossom."

"The skills you learn are transferrable and you can get job satisfaction that you don't get from your regular employment. The same thing goes for the unemployed. It gives them a sense of purpose, helps them to develop new skills and, of course, it looks good on a CV." FITTING THE BILL SPECIAL Constables do not need paper qualifications, but must be able to write a clear report and express themselves clearly in English. Applications from ethnic minorities are welcomed, but applicants must be a British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen with a right to live in this country. They must be in good health, aged between 18 and 50 and of good character. Anyone interested should go along to the front car park at Astley Bridge police station, Crompton Way, on Sunday from 10am to 2pm.