VOLUNTEERS who help the police were commended for their efforts at an afternoon tea and networking event at Cheshire Constabulary headquarters.

The event, which coincided with Volunteers’ Week, gave the commissioner and constabulary the chance to say 'thank you'.

Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Kean was joined by the Acting Chief Constable Janette McCormick and the High Sheriff of Cheshire Alexis Redmond, as he presented certificates to volunteers.

Mr Keane said: “I am immensely proud of the work our volunteers carry out to make Cheshire a safer place to live for residents across the county.

“It is really important to me to recognise the amazing contribution these members of the public bring to policing, and what better way to do that than by bringing them all together and saying thank you in person.

“It is fantastic to meet so many inspiring individuals at the event who selflessly give up their own time to give something back to support us and hear their inspiring stories about the volunteering work they have been involved in.”

ACC McCormick added: “It was a pleasure to be part of an event hailing the selfless work of volunteers throughout Cheshire.

“I was delighted to meet many inspiring individuals and groups at the event, all of whom play a crucial role in making our communities safer.

“They thoroughly deserve the recognition they received on the day and I would like to place on record my thanks for everything they do.”

The event was held as the commissioner launches his latest volunteer recruitment drive for roles that support his office.

He is currently advertising a whole range of volunteer roles that give people who live and work in Cheshire the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the police force, whilst gaining a real insight into how important policing operations work.

Mr Keane added: “The roles on offer provide an insight into a variety of key policing areas, from making random visits to custody suites to check on the welfare of detainees as an independent custody visitor, listening to calls from the public as a call management auditor, visiting police station front desks to carry out audits as a front desk auditor to ensuring police dogs are treated in the correct way as a police dog welfare visitor.

“Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience and I’d encourage anyone who has an interest in policing to get involved.”

Margaret Lonsdale is a front desk auditor for the office of the police and crime commissioner. She says that volunteering is a really rewarding experience.

Margaret said:“Before taking up the role of a front desk auditor, I volunteered my time as an independent custody visitor. Both roles provide reassurance to the commissioner that officers are doing their jobs properly.

“They also provide a good link between local officers and the community. Before becoming a volunteer with the commissioner, I was a head teacher. Carrying out visits to the custody suite helped me understand the issues of the wider community.”

Full details of all the volunteer roles are available on the commissioner’s website or by calling 01606 364103.

Applications for each role should be received by 9am on Monday, July 2.