VOLUNTEER police officers who have given up close to 24,000 hours of their time over the last year to protect Colchester were honoured in a special ceremony.

The 66 special constables serving in the borough were invited to an event organised by the Safer Colchester Partnership and Essex Police at Colchester Town Hall.

Mayor Peter Chillingworth thanked them for their bravery and commitment to keeping the town safe.

He presented 15 of the officers with special awards alongside council chief executive Adrian Pritchard.

In the past year the specials made 211 arrests and attended more than 6,650 incidents, including 200 road crashes, and have spent 700 hours searching for missing people.

They also completed 123 domestic abuse risk assessments and 72 child safeguarding referrals.

It is estimated their contribution is the equivalent of having another 14 full-time officers serving in Colchester.

Mr Chillingworth, said: “I would like to thank all of the special constables for their enthusiasm, professionalism and selfless commitment to making the borough safer for residents and visitors.

“Their dedication and bravery is evidence, if ever it were needed, that those who volunteer as special constables really can make a difference to the communities in which they serve.”

Head of Essex Police’s special constabulary Supt Simon Anslow said: “Our specials are the heroes who talk people down from bridges, step into danger, run towards it when others walk away, get hurt but come back again and again because policing and protecting others is in their DNA – it’s who they are and it’s a form of greatness.

“Without them, someone dialling 999 would have to wait that bit longer, the reassuring presence on the High Street on a Friday night might not be there, the vulnerable missing person might not be found in time, a knife being carried might not be recovered.

“They're a genuine part of Colchester and they care passionately about keeping their area safe.

"They're well deserving of the local recognition and I hope that others will be attracted to join them.”

Special constables are asked to volunteer at least 16 operational hours per month while volunteers in Colchester average 31.5 hours each.

They have the same powers as regular officers but give their time up freely.

For more information on becoming a special visit essex.police.uk/specials.