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West Yorkshire Police is giving 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to get some hands on policing experience through its Explorer programme, which aims to inspire the recruits of the future.

Throughout the 23-week course, youngsters will take part in riot training, work with the mounted section and air support unit, go out and about with their local beat bobbies and get a basic grounding in crime investigation techniques.

The Explorer project was successfully piloted in north-east Leeds last year and is now being rolled out to cover virtually all of West Yorkshire.

Trainee police officer PCSO Emma Moran, 19, from Rothwell signed on with West Yorkshire Police after completing the course last year..

She said: "As soon as I had finished the training I sent my application form.
"Now I am doing the job I love out and about on the streets of West Yorkshire.


"The training taught me a lot about the work of the police – and I enjoyed myself as well.

"I would thoroughly recommend it."

West Yorkshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable David Evans believes signing on to the Explorer course will not only help find potential recruits, but is also an opportunity to develop some great skills.

"We want to work with our young people and help them to play a positive role in society – what better way than to have them see police work first hand," Mr Evans said.

"The feedback from the pilot scheme last year was very positive and we want to give more young people the chance to learn about West Yorkshire Police.

"Becoming an Explorer is a great way to give something back to the community and will look great on the CV too."

The 23-week course runs for two hours every Wednesday evening at local police stations across West Yorkshire.

To apply, visit www.westyorkshire. police.uk/explorers or ring the recruitment hotline on 01924 292084.

The closing date for applications is Monday, December 15.
Interviews will be held in January and the next course will start in February.