Should police use volunteer detectives?

Crime chiefs in Essex facing a £16.8million budget crisis are signing up amateur detectives to help solve serious crimes such as rapes and murders. YES 34% NO 66%

Yes. They’re talking about using people with specialist skills to help solve serious crimes, so I think it’s a good idea.

PATRICIA HARTLEY

Yes. Special Constables have helped cut crime for many years, I don’t see why this wouldn’t do the same.

WARREN PIKE

No. Policing on the cheap. The police need to recruit highly trained professionals, not amateur sleuths.

KENNETH BILTON

Yes. The police need all the help they can get thanks to the Government cuts.

BETHANY HOUNSLOW

No. A proper solution would be voting out the Tory Government which is gleefully cutting police funding.

SEAN MUNRO

No. I’ve seen every episode of CSI – do I qualify? This is reality, not fiction.

COLIN HAMMOND