CIVILIAN volunteers are being used to keep crime victims informed about the police's attempts to catch crooks so officers can do more urgent work.

The new recruits will be trained to "tie up the loose ends" in cases by making 'thank you' calls to people who have reported incidents, such as suspicious behaviour or car break-ins and inform them of the outcome.

Chief Constable Paul Stephenson initiated the scheme after seeing the positive effects of recruiting volunteers during a visit to the San Diego police department, California, last year.

Nearly 130 people across the county have already expressed an interest in joining the Quality of Service scheme at police stations across the county - the first dedicated scheme for volunteers within Lancashire Police.

Community volunteer co-ordinator Sgt Graeme McGowan, said: "When a member of the public rings us with some information our communication staff haven't got the time to telephone a person, who for example, has reported seeing something suspicious down their road, to say 'this is what has happened' as a result of your call.

"The volunteers will not be taking live calls but there may be perhaps be a group of calls that require some attention."

The volunteers, who will be paid expenses, will be vetted using exactly the same security procedures as police officers and will adhere to robust data protection guidelines.

The first volunteers are expected to be in place by early to mid-July.

Sgt McGowan added: "We are not using volunteers as a way of cheap or free labour.

"It is a way to enhance the service to the people of Lancashire by freeing police officers. These people are coming in to enhance what we do, not take jobs away."

Julie Young, chief executive for Victim Support Lancashire, said: "One of the most frequent complaints we hear from people is that they are not kept informed."