A POLICE recruitment drive has stressed that people from all backgrounds are welcome to apply for the force.

The Wiltshire Constabulary awareness evening was held at The Broadgreen Centre in Swindon.

The event was organised with the help of the Swindon Racial Equality Council and Swindon Race Coalition.

Event spokesman Christian Lange said: "The aim of the meeting was to give people a realistic insight into what it might be like to be a police officer and to look at careers within Wiltshire Constabulary.

"This included the roles of police officer, special constables and members of the support staff."

The event was opened by Swindon Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent, Ian Maidment. A total of 14 people attended the meeting which lasted about two hours.

People had the opportunity to speak to serving officers, members of support staff, special constables and the general secretary of the Black Police Association, Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera.

Mr Lange said: "Many of the people appeared very interested and most left with an application pack."

Wiltshire Constabulary is looking to recruit about 100 police officers and 60 special constables in the coming year.

The force will accept applications from people of all backgrounds aged between 18-and-a-half and 50 for police officers and between 18-and-a-half and 54 for special constables.