Cumbria Police are celebrating the important contribution made by the force’s volunteers as part of National Volunteers’ Week.

The force’s Citizens in Policing team oversees the many areas in which members of the public can conduct a voluntary role to help keep people in Cumbria safe. This includes special constables, police support volunteers and volunteer police cadets.

Our special constables have contributed 14,643 hours over the past 12 months to supporting operational policing, working with our neighbourhood policing teams and response officers. Special constables have made 48 arrests and assisted our policing teams with a further 164 arrests in the same period.

The force works closely with young people across the county and currently has 100 cadets, who have themselves volunteered 3,655 hours of their time to supporting communities across Cumbria. Our cadets are supported by 35 voluntary cadet leaders who oversee the five cadet units in our county.

The force is also supported by the work of 85 police support volunteers who conduct specific initiatives aimed at creating safer communities. This includes community speed watch schemes, our BikeSafe initiative and working with community watch groups across Cumbria.

Sergeant Tamara Tatton, who oversees the force’s Citizens in Policing team, said:

“National Volunteers’ Week provides us all an important opportunity to thank volunteers across all sectors for the work they do.

“Our own volunteers give up their own time to help keep people safe. The work they do and the continued commitment they show is very much valued by our police force, and the communities they support.

“There are many benefits to volunteering; it offers the chance to give something back to the community and to make a positive difference to the people around you.

“It also provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on your existing experience and knowledge.

“New opportunities arise frequently, so if you are interested in volunteering with us, then please get in touch.”

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “The work of the volunteers’ within policing is truly invaluable.

“Local people know their communities better than anyone, so it’s incredible to see volunteers take time out of their day to help keep their area safe and assist with police matters.

“I would like to thank all volunteers for their dedication and hard work over the last year – I look forward to hearing what you achieve in the next 12 months.

“I would also urge anyone interested in volunteering to take a look at the police website – together we can make Cumbria an even safer place to live.”

For more information on how you can volunteer, please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/careers.