A NEW team of special constables have got off to flying start after making numerous arrests in their first few days on the job.

Five volunteer officers joined Basildon’s special constabulary on Saturday following months of training.

Special constables Jaime Parker, Adam Mandall, Edward Hughes, Robert Hill and Jaidon Sutton bring the total officers attached to emergency response to 19, as well as two special sergeants and a special inspector.

On their first day, they got stuck in by knocking on doors of suspected criminals who were wanted on recall to prison or for domestic abuse incidents.

In less than a week, the new recruits have also experienced sudden deaths, domestic abuse incidents and criminal damages. Special constable Rob Hill has a particularly strong start to his new career - arresting four people in his first four days.

He was even called to an incident in Wickford’s High Street on Sunday afternoon after a man, who was suspected to have a knife on him, was thought to have assaulted staff inside inside a shop. The 22-year-old, who works as a transport supervisor for a freight company for his day job, said: “It was our first shift on Saturday and we dealt with people who had outstanding bail conditions.

“We visited homes in Basildon and Billericay and I was really pleased to make my first arrest. The man was suspected of missing his curfew on his tag.

“It was exciting, he was quite placid.

“The next day we had a call to an incident in Wickford High Street where a man had thrown a chair at takeaway staff. There were reports that he had a lock knife on him.

“When I got out of the car, he ran off so I gave chase and arrested him. The adrenaline was pumping, it was quite exciting.”

The 16-year-old boy was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.

Special Inspector Kelly Korth said: “They have been fantastic, between them they have booked in every day for the next week. It’s brilliant for them to have so many arrests under their belt already.”