RESIDENTS in Hampshire can see first-hand how police officers use stop and search powers.

Hampshire Constabulary has signed up to the Home Office's Best Use of Stop and Search scheme, allowing members of the public to go on patrol with officers.

The scheme allows people who may be interested in becoming police officers or who are just interested in learning how policing works to join officers and see how they carry out community patrols first-hand.

It is open to anyone over 18, but teenagers as young as 13 can attend with the approval of parents and district commanders.

ACC Sara Glen, head of local policing, said: “This scheme gives us a real opportunity for anyone interested in understanding the role of a police officer to go out on patrol and get a first hand insight into the challenges officers face.

“We hope it will give a much wider understanding of the role of a police officer and for those interested in learning more about policing in the community, that it will demonstrate first hand that we do not take our powers lightly and that the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can have trust and confidence in their local officers.”

Anyone interested in taking part can complete a form online on hampshire.police.uk and email it to street.powers@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or send it by post to their local district commander.