BOLTON'S thin blue line could soon be boosted by a team of "special" recruits - from the town's bulging dole queue.

Job seekers may be given the opportunity of joining the special constabulary and escaping their dole queue blues if the unique plan is given the go ahead.

In addition to joining the special force of crimefighters the "rookie" police officers will also receive additional college tuition in desired subjects to National Vocational Qualification level.

The scheme, which will cost £50,000 to set up, is the idea of Chief Supt John Bartlett, the head of Bolton Police. He believes joining the "specials" and gaining a NVQ qualification will make the jobless recruit a more attractive proposition to any prospective employer. The scheme will be given the go-ahead if the Greater Manchester Police force is successful in obtaining Government cash to finance the project. The force is seeking a grant from a £4 million windfall the Home Office is offering to equip, train and recruit more officers for the special constabulary.

The Bolton scheme, run in conjunction with Bolton Council and the Bolton and Bury training Enterprise Council, is one project GMP hopes the Home Office will fund. The police chief says the scheme will make a small contribution to easing the unemployment problem.

Chief Supt Bartlett hopes up to 20 recruits - either mature long term unemployed or jobless young people - will be attracted by the idea.

Many serving members of the Special Constabulary are currently unable to patrol the town during the day because they work full time. The police chief hopes the 20 rookie specials will provide additional policing during office hours.

"They will provide the town with an additional police presence that will deter and prevent crime," said Chief Supt Bartlett. "In addition to their police duties and the chance of undertaking an NVQ college course I hope the idea will make their CVs more attractive to the town's employers." Possible recruits, who will receive a training allowance, must be aged 19-50, in good health and of "good character." The specials are not paid but receive out-of-pocket expenses.

Any job seekers interested in the project are asked to write to Chief Supt Bartlett at Bolton Central Police Station, Howell Croft North, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.