“i for one appreciate any extra help to keep our streets safe , i certainly wouldnt want to do the job these men and women do ,but i also feel the majority of failure in our society falls on the justice system , it must be very disheartening for our police force to try to keep the habitual offenders off the street only for a judge to slap their wrist and send them back out again ,maybe you should all think twice before commenting as who knows one-day you may just need their help yourselves”

“@special One

Well it must of been those fake coppers going around that were pulling over drivers on the Portway the other day.”

“I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry at these comments I have to admit... I knew society had got bad, but I didn't realise it was quite this bad!

@ Conrad, I imagine the reason that these petty "criminals" are getting away with their crimes is because there aren't enough Police in your area to deal with such a low grade crime! Maybe if there were more volunteers you might see some action taken against them... I mean, when my beat ask me to go ticket some cars parked illegally, that's exactly what I do!! But of course, according to some posters I'm just getting in the way of the "real" police!

Go ask the Home Office for some more funding and perhaps then you'll see more paid police on the street... but in the mean time, you might just have to make do with me! Sorry guys!

@ Sherry & Mark - I take it neither of you are actually Police officers? The view that Specials take overtime or jobs away from regulars really is quite prehistoric! If you knew the reality you'd realise how much the regulars appreciate the help of volunteers now as they are so understaffed and couldn't possibly answer all the calls in Bristol!

I hope that if you're ever the victim of crime that it's a Special that turns up as all the regular officers are tied up with paperwork... at least that way you might actually appreciate the severity of the situation!”

“I'm amazed at the negative comments on this story!

This sounds like a great idea which will support people who want to put something back into the community.”

“Special one, I am unaware of your full time occupation, however, how long would your job last if dozens of people turned up,and offered your boss the chance of recruiting them to do your job free of charge?”

“Special One,its because of pratts like you who do the job for nothing,that we are not recruiting full time professionals,and the same reason we are not able to be paid the rate for the job.”

“Mr Special One

We have been having a little debate on these pages recently.

As you are in the "know"

please explain why cyclists are allowed to ride on the pavements without being challenged by the police and why motorists are allowed to park on pavements without being ticketed or towed away.

We are dying to know and a special person like yourself may be able to tell us why the police do nothing for pedestrian safety nowadays...”

“Ohh get Mr "Special" policeman and her little rant.”

“What a shame to see such negativity from people over this story... it's no wonder our streets are so full of yobs etc. when the public have attitudes like this! Out of 10 comments, only 1 of them is positive about this story, so well done Lee for being in the 10% (or smaller) amount of the public that could actually help make a difference!

I'm already a Special Constable within A&S, and have been for over 5years. So whilst also fighting hard to keep my day job, I still manage to volunteer as a Police Officer for 50-60hrs every month for absolutely no reward other than the good feeling you get from being able to do your bit to help an over-stretched, under-funded and unrespected Police Service.

@ Plod, if you were a bit more clued up on life you'd know that the Police don't sit in their cars with radar guns any more... they haven't for the whole time that I've been a Police Officer! Speed Cameras are run by the Safety Camera Partnership, which is a civilian organisation with all proceeds going towards funding road safety!

@ Dave, if you think the job of the Police is to be out on the street picking litter rather than answering the hundereds of 999 calls received everyday then you need to get your priorities right! Also, I'm sure you'd rather be caught for speeding by a volunteer who will just warn you of your speed rather than a speed camera from which you'll get the fine and points?

@ Alan, with an attitude like that I hope you never get into A&S Police as I certainly wouldn't want to work alongside someone who feels that way about such a good idea... maybe if you tried doing some volunteer Police work it would stand you in a better position when A&S are recruiting again?!

This scheme is about trying to get the law-obiding citizens to take a bit of ownership for their communities and claim the streets back from the youth who seem to rule the place now with complete disregard for anyone or their property! However, with the attitude of some of you on here it really makes me wonder what the point is as I don't think any of you would do a better job of taking care of the community than the yobs themselves!

If any of you making these comments have kids, then I feel very sorry for the next generation who are going to be bought up with this same selfish attitude!”

“@ lee, yes I do live in a low crime area, but it's not through "luck"; it's through hard work and a big mortgage.

Not that I see it is at all relevant as to whether the people I pay through council tax are now asking me to volunteer and help them do what they're paid for.

So go ahead and volunteer, don your high viz jacket and watch all the local yobs treat you with the respect they'll have for you in today's Britain.”