The important role played by special constables has been stressed by Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier.

He was speaking when he joined special and regular officers in Canterbury city centre to promote National Specials’ Week.

“Special constables play an important role in this country and I would like to see their numbers increase,” Mr Brazier said.

“An awful lot of them go on to become regulars so we need to ensure that more recruits come in to replace them.”

There are 345 specials in the county and 58 in east Kent.

Among them is Alan Watson, who is stationed at Margate police station but works full-time in Kent Police’s control room.

He said: “There is an enormous amount of satisfaction to be had out of doing it and helping others.

“There are a lot of reasons why people take it up. It could be because they want to become regular officers or just because they want to serve the community.”

For more information visit www.kent.police.uk/specials or call 01622 652158.