Volunteers perform many roles across West Mercia Constabulary and are often the ‘unsung heroes’ of policing. The force currently has some 288 Special Constables, all of who give their time to serve their local communities, alongside support staff such as counter clerks and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

A new campaign was launched in April to encourage more people to volunteer their time and skills – backed by the outgoing High Sheriffs of Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Shropshire. The aim is to recruit more volunteers – including 90 Special Constables – by 2007.

The initiative follows a Home Office national advertising campaign seeking more Specials and specifically targeting the public and employers.

Special Constables work alongside regular officers to police local communities by carrying out duties including foot patrols, road safety initiatives, house-to-house enquiries and dealing with anti-social behaviour. They have the same powers as regular police officers, volunteer a minimum of four hours per week, usually at weekends or evenings.

As well as Specials, volunteers also fulfil other roles across the force area, including giving up their time to become counter clerks, which mean that outlying police stations that would otherwise have closed their counters are able to keep them open at certain times of the week.

Endorsing the campaign, outgoing High Sheriff of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Andrew Grant said: "Working with the police in a voluntary capacity – as a Special, counter clerk or any other role – has benefits for the volunteer, their employer and the community.

"Specials and other volunteers develop a range of different skills, gain in confidence and have the opportunity to support the local community and improve the area in which they work or live. Not only that, they are proud to work for West Mercia and gain a great deal of enjoyment from it."

Applicants for all volunteer support roles must be aged 18-and-a-half. However, you can apply once you are 18.

Anyone interested in becoming a Special Constable with West Mercia Constabulary can call the Specials recruitment hotline on 01562 826027 or visit www.westmercia.police.uk

To volunteer in any other way, such as a counter clerk, contact your local police station.

Do you know a Good Citizen?

West Mercia Constabulary is keen to hear about public-spirited youngsters who could be eligible for the force’s Good Citizen Award.

The force is urging people to nominate young people aged 18 and under who have made an outstanding contribution to their community in the past year.

The closing date for nominations is Friday May 26.

The Good Citizen Awards recognise acts of outstanding courage, generosity and community spirit by young people.

PC Robin White, who runs the award scheme, is keen to ensure that all young people who deserve this special recognition for their actions are nominated.

"The Good Citizen Awards have recognised some incredible acts of courage and generosity by young people in the force area since they were introduced in 1987," he said.

"This is an opportunity for us to reward those young people whose actions have made a difference to the lives of others."

To be eligible for nomination, acts of good citizenship must have taken place between May 27, 2005 and May 26, 2006. Small groups of no more than three young people may also be nominated for an award.

Good Citizen awards are presented by West Mercia in partnership with Local Education Authorities and all those selected by the judges are invited to attend award ceremonies in June and July to receive a Good Citizen certificate and lapel badge.

Ten nominees are then put forward for the force’s Good Citizen of the Year award which is presented at a gala award evening hosted by Chief Constable Paul West at force headquarters, Hindlip Hall, near Worcester in October.

All those shortlisted for the Good Citizen of the Year will receive a prize and £50 in cash. The young person named as West Mercia’s Good Citizen of the Year will receive an extra £100 in cash to be shared equally with a charity of their choice and the perpetual trophy.

1^st April: A Nokia mobile phone was stolen from a shopper at commercial premises in Dymock Road.

3^rd/5^th April: Two tyres were slashed on an Alpha Romeo parked off road at a property in Bridge Street.

4^th/5^th April: Damage was caused to a patio door at a property in Albert Road.

7^th/10^th April: A wooden gate was damaged at the Leadon Bank picnic area.

9^th April: A large window in the communal area of a block of flats in Lawnside Road was smashed in the early hours of the morning.

11^th April: Confectionery was stolen from a shop in the Homend.

11^th/12^th April: A white Vauxhall Movarno van, a SIP generator and several valves were stolen from commercial premises on Bromyard Road.

12^th April: Glass was broken in a greenhouse at a property in Hillfield Drive.

14^th April: A blue Ford Mondeo was sprayed with paint remover whilst parked on a driveway of a home in Ledbury.

13^th April: A purse was stolen from a handbag belonging to a member of staff at premises in Ledbury.

14^th April: Approx 100 litres of diesel were stolen from a Scania Lorry and a bus at farm premises in Ledbury.

14^th/15^th April: The rear nearside taillight of a BMW 316 was damaged whilst parked in Ledbury. The vehicle also had flour and eggs thrown at it.

14^th/15^th April: A Wilkes Royal Special towing caravan was stolen from a property on the Hereford Road in Ledbury.

15^th April: Suspects have used unknown means to set fire to a metal waste paper bin.

22^nd/23^rd April: Damage was caused to a white Ford Fiesta parked at a social club on the outskirts of Ledbury.

24^th April: There were three incidents of shoplifting at a store in the Homend.

15^th/29^th April: A green Renault 5 has been damaged whilst left in a car park in Ledbury.

28^th/29^th April: Entry was gained to a home in Pound Meadow by unknown offender/s forcing entry through a window. A search was made of drawers and cupboards in the premises.

19^th/23^rd April: A large quantity of three phase electric motors was stolen from a rural property.

21^st/23^rd April: Jerry cans containing petrol were stolen from a secure compound at a local farm. Offender/s cut a padlock, which was also taken, off the gate

26^th April: A handbag was stolen from the boot of a Renault Clio parked in a rural car park after offender/s smashed a window to gain access.

11^th/12^th April: A Bedford livestock carrier and a large amount of equestrian equipment were stolen from a farm at Ridgeway Cross.

4^th April: The driver of a Peugeot Partner 600 van left the forecourt without paying for fuel valued at £10.

18^th April: A white Vauxhall Cavalier was filled with petrol worth £55, the driver left the garage without paying.

16^th/17^th April: Damage was caused to two panes of glass at a property on the outskirts of the village.

13^th/14^th April: 200 metres of electric fencing tape on a plastic reel and its support post were stolen from a horse paddock.

26^th/27^th April: A Toyota Starlet had its paintwork damaged after paint stripper was thrown over it.

2^nd April: A 15-year-old male was arrested in Bosbury and charged with several motoring offences.

4^th April: A 24-year-old male was arrested and bound over following a breach of peace.

7^th April: A 48-year-old female was arrested after providing a positive roadside breath test.

8^th April: A 21-year-old Ledbury male was arrested on suspicion of assault.

13^th April: A 35-year-old Leominster male was arrested in Ledbury and remanded in custody.

15^th April: Two males aged 18 and 33 were arrested following an incident in Eastnor.

21^st April: A 26-year-old male was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

29^th April – A 21-year-old female from Tarrington was arrested in Hereford for burglary.

This service is under investigation by ICSTIS.

The front counter at Ledbury Police Station operates surgery hours as follows :-

Monday to Sunday 9am to 1pm

Tuesday and Friday 4pm to 7pm

Monday, Wednesday &

Thursday 4pm to 8pm

BUT, the counter will remain open during the afternoons except during sickness or holiday periods.

The counter is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. All other public Holidays the counter will open 9am to 1pm

Emergency only 999

West Mercia Police 08457 444888

Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Hereford Division Media 01432 347340

Mobile 07967 743147

Crime Prevention Manager - PC Charles Naylor

PC 3441 Deborah HUGGINS, Ledbury RURAL Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 498 or via email: deborah.huggins@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Officer Alison DORE can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07970 602 338 or via email: alison.dore@westmercia.pnn. police.uk

PC 3554 Pete ASKWITH, Ledbury TOWN Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 496 or via email: peter.askwith@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Ledbury Parish Officer, Leatte CLARKE can be contacted on 08457 444888 and on mobile 07939 055 293 or via email: @ leatte.clarke westmercia.pnn.police.uk