A special constable

That was the message of National Specials Weekend, which highlighted the work and role of special police officers in a bid to recruit more.

Specials are volunteers who give their time to help the regular police force. They have the same powers of arrest and carry out the same duties as full-time police officers.

They are asked to do 200 hours a year and receive expenses and training.

The Adur sector has six specials, but needs more. Debbie Woodgate joined a year ago at Shoreham and volunteers most weekends.

She goes out on regular patrol duties, walks the beat, polices events and helps out where required.

Debbie, an administrator, wanted to join the regular police force, but, with family commitments, found it difficult. So she has combined her wish to do police work and help the community by joining the specials.

She said: "I love the variety of the work. There is never a dull moment, even with the paperwork. You never know what is going to happen."

One of Sussex Police's passive dogs, Jake, who is trained to detect drugs, was at Shoreham on Saturday for the specials to take out and train with.

If Jake, a Labrador, detects drugs on a person, he just goes and sits quietly in front of them.

Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, who spoke to the specials and went on patrol with the sniffer dog on Saturday, said: "The specials do an essential job policing Sussex, where we have 53 fewer regular officers than we did six years ago.

"The government must recognise the important role specials play and encourage more people to join up."

For more information about joining the specials, visit the Sussex Police website at www.sussex.police.uk or phone 0845 6070999.