KENT Police want to recruit 44 more front line staff to answer 999 calls. More people are needed around the clock to man the Force Communications Centre in Sutton Road, Maidstone.

Staff at the centre, who currently number 500, are responsible for taking all 999 calls and enquiries made to all police stations in Kent.

The force is expanding its communications staff after new technology was introduced earlier this year.

Richard Leicester, personnel supervisor at the force communications centre, said: "We've gone through a major change in technology and how we handle calls.

"Before 2001, we had nine regional control rooms. You would ring your local police station and your call would be dealt with in the local area.

"Now, whatever station is dialled in Kent, it comes to us, and the call is dealt with and deployed centrally."

As well as handling an average of 6,000 calls a day, operatives can access CCTV pictures from around the county. The centre has met its targets for handling calls for the last 12 months.

Ideal candidates would be able to remain calm under pressure and communicate effectively, as well as being able to type at 30 words per minute and use a computer.

"You could be dealing with anything from a road traffic crash to something quite serious where someone might have been attacked or raped," said Mr Leicester.

"We try and be quite open - people might think 999 is all glamour, but it can be quite distressing. It's a job that's never the same."