Specials help tackle night crime

Part-time police officers are being brought in to help deal with late night revellers in a South Yorkshire town.

Special constables will be patrolling Rotherham later to deal with underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.

South Yorkshire Police said the move would free up more full-time officers to deal with serious incidents.

But the force said full-time officers were not being replaced and some would be supporting special constables in the public order van.

Acting Sgt Richard Bilton said: "Response officers are usually sent to deal with crime and disorder incidents in the town centre on a weekend night.

"The special constabulary won't replace these officers but instead will allow them to respond more effectively to other and more serious incidents across the district."

The county's Police Federation said it did not have a problem with the move, as long as full-time officers were not being replaced.