Force welcomes newest cops on the police block

They are among 32 recruits who have been sworn in at a ceremony at Lancashire Police headquarters.

A further 14 will be welcomed into the force later this month.

The new police constables were presented with warrant cards, which allow them to make arrests, during the ceremony on Wednesday.

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “One of my key priorities is to protect frontline policing in the county, maintaining a 24-hour service across every inch of the county.

“All of our new officers have done exceptionally well to make it through the recruitment process, and I now wish them the best of luck as they embark on their initial training. They should be very proud of themselves.

“It has been several years since Lancashire Constabulary has been able to open up recruitment externally, and the demand the force received from people wanting to join was phenomenal.”

The recruits will now continue training for another five months before shadowing another officer for 10 weeks. Following a two-year probation period they will graduate in April 2017.