TEAMS of special constables protect the streets of Bolton every day. Dressed in the same uniform, you would never know they are volunteers. One Bolton pharmacist is stepping up to make his parents proud and give the police vital support at a time of difficult cuts.

Adil Bhaloda, 29 from Astley Bridge, spends his days dispensing prescription, but spends his evenings dispensing justice.

He became a member of the team policing the Bolton town centre area earlier this month after wanting lend a hand for a couple of years.

He said: "It extends from day one, my parents always told me to help people. It's a way of making my parents proud."

As a pharmacist, he felt he could put into practice his five years of experience with local health concerns in the community as an officer.

Mr Bhaloda said: "There's a lot of cases involving mental health. I think I can use my health care skills with the police force. It's an extra pair of hands for them."

He added: "It was six months of quite intense training. They teach us about the law, how to protect yourself, how to protect others, first aid."

Mr Bhaloda is one member of a huge 400 volunteers across Greater Manchester Police on the streets during events like Remembrance Sunday. A team leader for the Bolton town centre team, Kieran Sheen, has been volunteering for the police for ten years.

Mr Sheen said: “It’s the side of policing that you don’t see. We’re volunteering, we want to help and make a difference. It’s a shame that some people have the view that we’re a cheap option.”