More than 1,400 people have now gone onto the next stage in their bid to applied to join Wiltshire Police after a huge response to the force's second recruitment drive of the year.

The application window ran from November 12 to 22, and saw people from across the country completing the online pre-assessment tool.

The process was open to anyone aged between 18 and 57, who could meet the minimum requirements, including an English GCSE grade A*-C.

Successful new recruits will join the force on a starting salary of £19,000.

The applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process. Mark Levitt, resourcing manager for Wiltshire Police, said: “We are encouraged by the number of people that have applied.

“The next step will be a formal online application, then they go through screening, before going to a national assessment centre for medical testing and situational judgements.”

More than two-thirds of the applications received were from men, with 434 women applying to join.

Mr Levitt said: “There is a real mix which is good.
“Ultimately we want the force to represent the whole of Wiltshire. Some people bring really good experience the more mature they are, and other young people are more reflective of the younger parts of our society.”

Those who complete the recruitment will be assigned to one the force’s four hubs in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Salisbury or Swindon for two years, before they can branch out into specialist teams.

Mr Levitt said: “It’s a fantastic career. I have been with Wiltshire Police for 34 years and I still enjoy it. No two days are ever the same.

“You need honesty and integrity, that goes without saying. You’ve also got to be a good team player, and have common sense, and a real sense of duty.

“Once they are operational on the streets it doesn’t matter how much experience they have got, they are making potentially life-changing decisions, and have to deal with very stressful situations.

“I knew a recruit where one of the first jobs he went to was a double murder with the offender still at the scene, so you have to be prepared to jump in with both feet.”