Top policeman calls for more volunteers

16 November 2011

One of the Isle of Wight's most senior policemen has renewed calls for more volunteers to help officers in the fight against crime.

Chief Insp Gavin McMillan said volunteers were needed in a number of areas, including office administrative tasks and victim support. However, he stressed the volunteers would not be replacing paid staff.

He said: "For a number of years we have had a campaign to look for volunteers generally to help and work with the police and this is nothing new. We are not replacing staff, volunteers have always been part of our make-up. For example, we have volunteers who come in and open front offices."

He said police were also hoping to recruit more people to Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Chief Insp McMillan also told the Isle of Wight Youth Council police were warning shops that sell make-up to be on their guard over the Christmas period as there was a problem of thefts by teenage girls. He said the problem had been identified on the Island last Christmas and the force would soon launch Operation Humbug in order to raise the awareness of shop owners about shoplifting. He said: "Last year, we certainly had an increase in the number of young females who were taking make-up."