SPECIAL constables in Watford and Three Rivers now have a second smart car to help them patrol the streets.

Watford firm smart Watford has provided a new vehicle a smart forfour to Watford and Three Rivers Special Constabulary.

The car will enable Special Constables to serve and access the community more effectively and will be used for their nuisance youth patrols and assisting at local events.

Ian Grover, sales manager of smart Watford said: "We are very pleased to be able to offer something back to the community by providing a vehicle to the Special Constabulary. We felt that the officers deserve all the support they can get in policing the area and working with the community."

This is the second donation made by smart Watford. In September 2003 they donated a smart fortwo to the Watford Community team.

County Commandant Peter Mould, who heads the Special Constabulary, said: "I expect the car to become a familiar sight across the area during the evenings and provide a visible reassurance to the communities we serve.

"I am extremely grateful to smart for providing this vehicle and thereby enabling us to extend our scope of duties. What better way of carrying out intelligence-led policing then by using a smart car!"

In the past year Special Constables in Watford and Three Rivers worked over 18,500 hours of which 11,500 hours were spent on high profile patrols.

County Commandant Mould added: "Specials make a significant difference to community safety in a number of ways. They take pride in their communities and are keen to do all they can to improve the quality of life for residents.

"I would especially like to see Specials from ethnic minority backgrounds joining us so that we can more fairly represent the communities we serve."

For more information about becoming a special, write to County Commandant Peter Mould at Watford Police Station, Shady Lane, Watford, WD17 1DD or ring him on 01923 472576 or log on to the force website www.herts.police.uk