The Metropolitan Police has urged major employers to allow staff time off work so that they can carry out special officer duties.

As the force looks to increase its use of these volunteer officers - aiming to recruit more than 2,000 in the new financial year - it hopes that companies will be willing to allow 'specials' regular time off to put something back into the areas where they live.

The force's temporary director of recruitment, Majella Myers, told Personnel Today: "We are confident we will get the 2,000 officers, but we need the [support of] big employers. We have to tap into employers' corporate social responsibility agendas.

"We have to look for people [who are] into the volunteer mindset and giving something back [to the community]."

Employers are urged to appreciate that special constables can learn a range of skills during their time with the police which can be of use to them in their regular jobs.