Grantham is to receive three Special Constables as part of a group of 22 recruited by Lincolnshire Police.

The 22 congregated at Police HQ in Nettleham last week to begin their very first day on the job, and their service could never be more important than right now.

The new recruits range in age from late teens to mid-50s, and come from a variety of backgrounds including Teaching Assistant, Wealth Manager, and Detention Officer.

As Lincolnshire Police, along with every other force in the UK, helps tackle the spread of COVID-19, having an extra team of dedicated officers is invaluable.

Chief Constable Bill Skelly explained: "Special Constables have always been greatly valued here in Lincolnshire Police. Their work alongside their full-time colleagues exercising all the same powers and supporting the service is invaluable and right now, while we fight to help keep people safe from the effects of Coronavirus, they will be of even greater importance in helping us engage with our communities, educate and explain."

The 22 new recruits at the weekend were introduced to a number of topics such as professional standards, human rights, and legislation, before starting their 20 days of training. After that, they were attested and had a knowledge check, and then began mentored patrols with colleagues.

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said: "We are hugely grateful for the time that every person joining us here today has given. Being a Special Constable isn't easy – the job itself is demanding and many people are juggling busy lives around it as well.

"And now, in the thrust of a global pandemic, we rely on them more than ever and are all the more grateful for each of these individuals putting themselves in a potentially risky position in order to help keep others safe."

Stella Roland, 18, is one of the Special Constables who started last week. She already works as an apprentice in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and said working on the frontline has been part of her dream for some time.

"I've always known I want to be a police officer and being a Special will help me learn more about being on the frontline," she said. "Not only that, it's something I can do to help give back to the community and can help other officers protect people in Lincolnshire.

"I'm going to learn all kinds of other skills in areas like communication and how to deal with conflict and they're skills that will also help me build as a person."

Stella will be serving in Louth, which is her hometown.

"I'm really excited to get started," she said. "I've always wanted to be on the frontline and get out and meet lots of new people who have a lot of knowledge and insight about policing."

Lincolnshire Police is currently accepting applications for Special Constables. Those wanting to give back to their community as a Special please visit here to find out more .