PEOPLE are being asked to help combat crime and become voluntary police specials.

The Be Somebody... Special campaign, launched at the weekend by West Mercia Constabulary, aims to recruit at least 100 members to the Special Constabulary by the end of the year.

At meetings across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, police and Community Support Officers were on hand to answer questions from people thinking about joining.

In Worcester, specials helped police combat anti-social behaviour, and in Malvern they focused on vandalism in car parks.

Specials have the same powers as full-time policemen, and are provided with the same uniform and equipment as regular officers.

"Special constables are a valuable police resource. Last year, they contributed more than 40,000 hours of policing in communities across the force area," said Special Commandant Mike Briarley.

Anyone aged between 18-and-a-half to 50 can apply, and volunteers are asked to commit 16 hours a month.

There are 262 specials at the moment, and the force is particularly keen to hear from people from minority ethnic communities and women.

Anyone interested in joining the specials should ring 01562 826027, or visit www.westmercia. police.uk