WILTSHIRE Police has started recruiting community support officers for the first time in two years after numbers dropped below what the force described as minimum requirements.

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said he was pleased it was in a position to recruit more of the civilian officers. “PCSOs provide essential support to police officers and make a real difference to local communities.”

Applications for the roles, partly funded by central government, open today and close on February 25. Visit wiltshire.police.uk for information.