POLICE bosses have praised the forces special constables who have so far volunteered a combined 10,000 hours – the equivalent of 1,100 additional officer shifts – during the coronavirus pandemic.

With some companies giving their staff additional time off to volunteer time to support the police in Lancashire, six specials have been released by their employers to support the force on full-time hours.

Sgt Martin Midgley, the force’s specials co-ordinator, said the bravery of so many volunteers stepping forward and putting themselves on the frontline meant there were plenty of officers to reassure and educate the public in what are uncertain times.

Sgt Midgley said: “They have really stepped up to the mark. It has been really good.

“It’s quite amazing in some ways.

"They are putting themselves at risk of catching Covid-19 by being in and supporting friendly policing. I am really proud of them all.

“A lot of their tasking is focussing on the Covid reassurance, engaging with the public and educating people on what they should and shouldn’t be doing. They are playing a vital role and I want to thank each and every one of them.”

Sgt Midgley said specials had also been helping deliver food parcels to high-risk groups across the county.

Special constables, who volunteered 500 hours of their time over the recent bank holiday weekend alone, have also been praised by the county’s police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw for the vital support they provide.

He said: “It is amazing to see the way that Special Constables, who give up their time to help keep people across Lancashire safe, have stepped up during what is an incredibly difficult time for everyone and made such a vital contribution.

“They have always played a vital role in the work that the force does around the clock, but the way they have gone above and beyond over the last three months really highlights the way people are coming together and doing what they can during unprecedented situation.

“We need to recognise the contribution of all volunteers who are helping to deliver vital services that are helping to keep vulnerable people safe and reassuring the wider community - thousands of people, across the county who are giving up their time to support others.”

Earlier this year the police held a volunteers recruitment drive, saying they were hoping to keep the number of specials across the county at around 240.