The best special constabulary in the UK has been uncovered – by a process of elimination.

Extensive research among the 43 forces in England and Wales saw Northamptonshire Police come out on top.

And it was Dr Iain Britton from the University of Northampton who evaluated the “invaluable contributions” made by specials from Carlisle to Land’s End and Haverfordwest to Holyhead.

According to his findings, the Northants force’s army of volunteers took the blue riband when it comes to engagement and were ranked second for how well its specials service local communities across the region.

When it comes to equality comparisons, the number of officers from the black and minority ethnic communities is competitively placed, with Northamptonshire Special Constabulary ranked among the top third forces nationally.

The survey results of Dr Britton’s research were revealed at this year’s Institute of Public Safety and Justice’s National Citizens in Policing Conference held at Manchester’s etc.venues.

Representing the force at the event were Sergeant Sue Torrance and PC Martin Thorogood who oversee the county’s special constabulary.

Sgt Torrance said: “It was an immensely proud moment for us to achieve national recognition and confirmation we are moving in the right direction.

“Credit and sincere thanks are due to our entire special constabulary, from every special constable right through to chief officer Mike Maywood, who have made this possible.

“Their heartfelt dedication and commitment to support front line policing is beyond reproach.

“It’s our passion, focus and structure that being part of something so valued and worthwhile makes us the envy of our larger counterparts.”

While nationally, special constable numbers have dropped by a third in five years – in the first six months of this year Northamptonshire’s 232 volunteers have given up an 44,675 hours of their own time.

A snap shot of their contribution includes effecting 336 arrests, recording 673 crimes, executing 62 warrants, carrying out 77 stop searches, issuing 463 traffic offence reports and seizing 373 vehicles.