POLICE chiefs are giving potential officers an around the clock chance to become a cop after introducing a 24-hour recruitment hotline.

It is just one of the novel measures employed by Thames Valley Police to attract new officers into the force.

They have already been successful in a recent campaign to target redundant Welsh steelworkers, attracting 400 inquiries and handing out 300 application forms after taking roadshows to Swansea and Newport in Wales.

And now the phoneline allows potential police constables a chance to call any time of day or night and leave a voice mail message so they can speedily receive an application form to join the police.

Paul Anthem, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said that there had been a number of initiatives employed by the force.

He said a special awareness day had been organised at a training centre but an extra day had to be laid on for the potential recruits from Wales because the roadshows had been so effective.

Chief Inspector Geoff Smith, recruitment officer based in Wokingham, said: "We have had an excellent response. Applications have been flowing in.

Potential Bucks bobbies can phone up round the clock on (01865) 846816