Volunteers to get role in crime fight

Volunteers will be asked to play a part in cutting crime under the new proposals, which are aimed at bringing the number of special constables back to its peak of the 1950s.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Jul 2010, 00:28 BST

Updated 27th Jul 2010, 00:28 BST

There are currently 15,000 special constables but the Government wants this number to more than quadruple to 67,000.

Members of the public will be given the chance to join police on patrols, and the Government will encourage people to join Neighbourhood Watch groups and become "community crime fighters".

Mrs May said the Government would "unleash the power of community pride and civic responsibility".

Local crime data would be published and "local beat meetings" would allow people to challenge the performance of their neighbourhood policing teams.

Volunteers Government