West Mercia's police and crime commissioner is going on a recruitment drive

The helper will get a £15,000 salary for eight to 10 days work a month, and will be tasked with asking people what they want from their police.

The new recruit, who will be Mr Longmore’s ‘community co-ordinator’, will also be able to take on five helpers of his own to do some of the legwork.

Mr Longmore’s office said the five ‘area ambassadors’ will get “small allowances” but he had not decided exactly what it will be yet.

The community co-ordinator’s pay is effectively £30,000 pro-rata based on a working week of five days.

The move comes just weeks after he advertised six new roles on a pro-rata rate of £78,000 a year to oversee the police’s spending.

The six audit committee recruits will get £1,500 for just four or five days work a year.

Mr Longmore said: “Since my election in November 2012 myself and my deputy have visited over 300 individuals and community groups to learn about their local policing needs.

“This level of engagement has proved invaluable, particularly when putting together my first police and crime plan.

“We thought long and hard before deciding on a figure that would enable us to attract the right candidate, whilst taking into account the tough financial challenges we are facing.

“I feel it is also worth highlighting that the allowance we have agreed upon is considerably less than ambassadors or advisors appointed by other PCCs.

“We remain very cost conscious and even with this post we have reduced the office of the police and crime commissioner budget by £300,000 this year – which is around a 20 per cent reduction.

“We will be expecting a great deal from the successful candidate including exceptionally strong skills, experience and knowledge in a number of different areas.”

The new recruit will be tasked with getting feedback from groups including youngsters, business owners, people in rural areas and ethnic minorities on West Mercia Police.