MP praises new Special Constables

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jul 2007

Colchester MP Bob Russell will this afternoon in the House of Commons be praising six Special Constables who were last week enrolled under a new Home Office scheme to encourage businesses to allow employees to join the Special Constabulary.

He has a Question on the Order Paper for today's Oral Questions to new Home Secretary Jackie Smith when he will ask about the development of the new Business Specials scheme.

Colchester is the first town in Essex, and one of the first in the whole country, to launch the new scheme.

The concept of recruiting Special Constables from shops and other businesses got underway two years ago in London, and last year the Metropolitan Police held a Parliamentary reception to inform MP s about it. Among those who attended was Mr Russell who is a Liberal Democrat member of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Mr Russell said this morning: "I realised immediately that this was a first class scheme which ought to be introduced more widely, so I contacted the Head of Colchester Police and sent him details about it.

"I am delighted that Colchester Police have responded in such a prompt and supportive way, and I am grateful to businesses for allowing staff the time to join the Special Constabulary.

"I look forward to other businesses following the excellent example we have witnessed in Colchester, and that is the point I shall be making in the House of Commons this afternoon."