CHESHIRE Special Constabulary officers were spotted at Barons Quay and Tatton Park as part of an annual weekend celebrating their contribution.

Running from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3, National Specials Weekend saw voluntary officers in Cheshire give around 1,500 hours of their time performing around 150 duties.

These included hosting a school-initiated event at Barons Quay, and attending the Classic Motor Vehicle Show at Tatton Park.

The event at Barons Quay gave hundreds of young children the opportunity to get up close and personal with the police, see the equipment they use and learn about the work they do to make communities safe.

At the event in Northwich, 92 children entered a competition to test their observation skills and be awarded a Police Achievement Certificate.

The four winners were given a prize and invited to have a tour of the station.

Special officers worked with regular officers, PCSOs and cadets across the weekend as part of an integrated force.

Special Constabulary chief officer Celvyn Jones said: “The duties which the Special Constabulary carried out over the weekend were outstanding.

“The hours that the team of volunteers gave up shows the high level of commitment Special Constables have to helping keep Cheshire safe.

“I am really very proud to lead such a selfless, dedicated and determined team across Cheshire.

“As a Special Constable you are in a unique position to help the local community and make it a safer place to live.

“The work of the police is extremely varied, and as such your own experiences as a Special Constable will reflect this.

“The role is both challenging and rewarding and I highly recommend and encourage anyone who would like to help local communities and to be part of a great police family to consider attending a recruitment seminar to learn more about joining our Special Constabulary team.”

Cheshire Constabulary’s acting chief constable Janette McCormick said: “Special Constables are an integral part of the policing family in Cheshire.

"They support operations and enable us to provide a much appreciated additional visible presence in communities.

“They are part of our wider volunteers and, importantly, bring the public into policing, increasing transparency as well as building wider skills and experience.

“National Specials Weekend gives us the chance to spotlight their role, but I recognise their ongoing support – that often goes unsung – on a weekly basis.

“I am incredibly proud of the many Special Constables that support the constabulary and help keep Cheshire communities safe 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Special Constable should visit www.cheshire.police.uk to find out more about the role and recruitment seminars.