MORE police officers will be walking the beat in High Wycombe thanks to an innovative new scheme.

Students from the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College have joined Thames Valley Police as special constables.

Six students on the three-year policing degree at the college were recruited last summer and were fully trained by December.

Dr Allyson MacVean, course director, said: "The students have enjoyed it and it makes sense of the academic work they do at the university.

"Our students go into law enforcement, the Prison Service and policing."

The degree was set up two years ago, and the six students to become special constables are the first to do so from their course.

But Dr MacVean hopes there will be 20 more students who become specials later this year.

Detective Inspector Richard List believes that the increase in special constables will be beneficial to the whole area not just the police and students.

He said: "We're really positive about it.

"I know people often say we need to increase the number of local officers in patrol but at least we can say we have done this and have increased the number of specials on the street.

"It's an innovative way of doing it.

"It's good for us and good for the local community. It will have a definite effect on people in High Wycombe.

"The students have been patrolling the beat already. As the course gets bigger next year there should be more people."

He said that most of the new specials will be on the streets one day a week.

"These people will make a difference," he said.

Det Insp List added that the police are still looking for special constables from all walks of life.

Many special constables eventually become full-time police officers.

Police forces see specials as good for high-visibility policing.

Anyone interested in joining the Special Constabulary should ring High Wycombe police station on 01494 465888

January 24, 2003 10:30