Coronavirus: Volunteer police in Hampshire clock in 4,380 hours during Covid-19 outbreak

Hampshire police has praised employers who have allowed employees to focus on their secondary work as a special constable.

Such police officers have regular jobs and normally work unpaid in their spare time for the police. They are warranted and have powers of arrest.

It comes at a time when police forces are trying to maintain the front line while having staff and officers off self-isolating with symptoms.

Between March 23, the day lockdown was announced, and April 20, 129 special constables in Hampshire police have put in 547 shifts.

Assistant chief constable Scott Chilton said: ‘We are very grateful and would like to place on record our thanks, for the support of employers who are releasing members of their staff so they can fulfil their roles as special constables during these unprecedented times.

‘As a constabulary we have developed detailed plans to ensure we can adapt and change our response as is necessary to meet the needs of our communities as this pandemic continues.

‘So it is a great comfort to know that so many employers are willing to show their support by allowing our special constables to take to the frontline when we need to call upon them. Thank you.

‘Special constables play a vital role in our force throughout the year and we are very lucky to have such dedicated people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ready to serve when they are needed most.

‘Unprecedented times requires unprecedented action and we know there are a lot of people who are ready to help should we need it.

‘There is a tremendous amount of community spirit out there and I would like to thank you all for doing what you can to help.'

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.