SEVENTY-five young people have taken part in this year’s Wiltshire Police World of Work work experience scheme in Melksham, Swindon, Salisbury.

The Force opened its doors to Key Stage 4 students for a week of activities designed to give a taste of what it’s like to work for the police service.

Each day working in the police service brings new, interesting challenges and opportunities.

Students learned there is more to keeping Wiltshire and Swindon’s communities safe than wearing a uniform and patrolling the streets.

PCSO Alan Aldersley-Byrne, Schools and Youth Liaison Supervisor said; “WoW was introduced two years ago to give a wide perspective of Wiltshire Police and the variety of roles within the Force.

“Due to the nature of modern day policing it is not possible to have students work alongside front line officers or officers in support roles dealing with members of the public or sensitive issues.

“Young people were given scenarios delivered through video and asked to investigate the crime through to interview, court and sentencing.

“They used their own pocket note book to record their findings.”

WoW covers a broad spectrum of roles within Wiltshire Police and participants in the scheme gained a better understanding of the different career opportunities that the police service offers.

From constables and detectives to mechanics, managers and more; there are roles to suit a variety of skill sets.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “There’s far more to policing than being an officer, there are opportunities to suit a range of skills and abilities in many different officer, police staff and volunteer roles. The scale of opportunities are very wide and diverse.

“I encourage students looking for work experience to consider visiting Wiltshire Police for the chance to get a taste of all aspects of police work.

“The work in the police is exciting, challenging, rewarding, interesting and incredibly fulfilling, even if you later choose another career path the life skills and experience you will get will stand you in good stead for your future.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson said: “I am delighted to see the success of the World of Work Scheme in its third year.

“I welcome young people to see that the police service needs to be made up of a wide range of people, each bringing ideas and perspectives that will shape the way it represents and serves communities.

“Whether a person pursues education through university or they feel more suited to learning through doing a job, there are plenty of career opportunities within the police.

“Each police employee makes a valuable contribution to the community, whether on the streets in a uniform, in a workshop in overalls or at a desk in an office.

“It’s an incredibly worthwhile career choice and I’d urge young people to take this opportunity to learn more about it.”

Young people in attendance said: “PCSO Al listened and helped out with all the issues and problems which we had and is friendly, helpful and put everyone else before himself.”

“We all enjoyed our week of work experience with Wiltshire Police. We all made new friendships and learnt new information!”

“It was great seeing an insight into the workings of custody and got to see that officers are human beings too.”

If you want to learn more about careers in the police service, you could be exactly who the police are looking for to join the World of Work.

Opportunities for Key Stage 4 students to take part in next year’s World of Work are advertised on the Wiltshire Police website. The Force will be accepting applications from September.