Police recruits sworn in

The newest recruits have been sworn in at Durham Constabulary.

The recruits swore their policing oath to the Queen and country during their attestation, held online with a magistrate.

The 26 probationary officers are believed to be the first in the force's history to complete the important step solely online amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

The new recruits began their training on January 18 and are the first to embark on the Degree Holders Programme – a two-year-course at specially-designed training facility at Meadowfield.

Policing Skills Trainer, PC Jeff Summerhill, said: “Completing your attestation is always a defining moment in your officer training and these new recruits will definitely remember theirs.”