Police are hoping to recruit 200 new Special Constables by the end of the year as part of a new Volunteers Strategy.

Officers in Bradford will be holding a recruitment drive over the next few months following the success of a similar scheme earlier this year.

The strategy will cover Special Constables along with volunteers and the Young Explorers Programme.

Chief Superintendent Alison Rose said: “Following a recent recruitment drive, we have been overwhelmed by the number of people interested in joining.

“Although we have now had to temporarily suspend new applications, we want to encourage people to watch our website over the coming weeks as this will be updated to reflect the new strategy and the new application process.”

James Gatherum, 21, applied to become a Special Constable at the end of 2007 and joined the force 18 months ago.

Mr Gatherum said he was interested in joining the police after university and had gained invaluable experience working with the Tong and Wyke Neighbourhood Policing Team.

His first arrest came while working on a Saturday night with an officer in the City Centre NPT when they were called to a fight in Centenary Square.

Abigail Harper, 23, of Pudsey, works as a clerk for the intelligence unit at Bradford South Police, but joined the Special Constabulary in March.

She said: “It’s built up my confidence and it’s built relationships outside the intelligence units as well with officers, in order to promote the department.”

Inspector Alan Rhees-Cooper said: “Regular officers working with Special Constables are working with people from sections of the community who are in different employment, who bring in different perceptions of life.

“It means we are more balanced and have a better understanding of the communities.”